JAMES FORREST, who celebrates his 33rd birthday today, is on the brink of becoming a Celtic History Bhoy.
The evergreen winger took his remarkable medal haul to 24 last season when he figured in the champions’ third successive title triumph – and twelfth in 13 years – and the Scottish Cup Final victory over Rangers at Hampden on the iconic date of May 25.
Forrest is now one honour away from taking his privileged place alongside Lisbon Lion Bobby Lennox as the club’s joint most decorated player by the end of the forthcoming campaign.
CROWNING GLORY…James Forrest and Callum McGregor with the Premiership trophy in the 2023/24 clean sweep campaign.
WAITING GAME…James Forrest chats to matchwinner Adam Idah as the Celtic players wait for the Scottish Cup presentation after the 1-0 win over Rangers at Hampden on May 25.
And the product from the club’s academy can overtake the man known as Buzzbomb if he plays his role in any other successes for Brendan Rodgers’ side as they prepare their bid for a 55th crown and a domestic clean sweep.
Lennox is the scorer of an extraordinary 277 goals to take his place behind the legendary Jimmy McGrory as second highest scorer in the Parkhead club’s Haul of Fame.
Forrest became a Ton-Up Bhoy when he claimed a hat-trick in a 6-1 league win over Hibs at Parkhead in October 2022.
And the unassuming lad from Prestwick hoisted the tally to 108 when he stroked in the Hoops’ third in their runaway 5-0 success over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on May 15 when Rodgers’ men sealed the championship.
He is one of just seven players across all Scottish clubs to have scored in consecutive top-flight campaigns since the Premier League era kicked off in 1975.
NUMBER ONE…James Forrest leaves Motherwell keeper John Ruddy stranded as he claims his first goal for Celtic in a 4-0 league win at Parkhead on May 1 2010.
NUMBER 108…James Forrest strokes the ball wide of Kilmarnock keeper Kieran O’Hara for the third goal in Celtic’s 5-0 triumph to seal the title on May 15 2024.
With a fair amount of style, he got the ball rolling on his first appearance on May 1 2010. He was given the nod by Neil Lennon to make his debut when he was sent on as an 81st-minute replacement for Aiden McGeady.
Six minutes later, the new Bhoy had registered the first of his strikes when he neatly executed an exquisite first-time lob beyond stranded Motherwell keeper John Ruddy in a 4-0 win.
It would be fair to say the veteran hasn’t looked back since.
Happy birthday, Jamesie!
