JAMES FORREST is hoping Brendan Rodgers will deal him in for his SIXTEENTH year at Celtic.
The evergreen winger, 33, is due to come out of contract at the end of the season, but he is determined to prolong his stay at Parkhead.
Forrest is a veteran of over 500 games for the Hoops, has collected over 100 goals for the team and has amassed a remarkable 24 honours along the way.
The Scotland international has scored in every season since hitting one on his debut as a teenage second-half substitute in a 4-0 win over Motherwell in the east end of Glasgow on May 1 2010.
THAT’S MY BHOY…Brendan Rodgers greets James Forrest at the end of Celtic’s 2-0 league win over Hibs at Easter Road last month.
Forrest has yet to register this time around and is eager to set that record straight if he gets the opportunity in the home Premier Sports League Cup quarter-final against Championship outfit Falkirk this afternoon.
The wily wide Bhoy came on for in-form Nicolas Kuhn in the 71st minute of the 5-1 Champions League rout of Slovan Bratislava in midweek and set up Adam Idah for the final strike with a perfectly-weighted pass for the Republic of Ireland attacker to first time past the stranded keeper.
Forrest is keen to continue to contribute and reckons the current Hoops squad is one of the best in which he has been involved.
The veteran touchline ace said: “Aye, I think the manager has recruited well. He has always talked about quality over quantity and he’s definitely got that now.
“You can see the players he’s signed have already made an impact. That’s great for the players who were already here.
HAMPDEN HERO…James Forrest celebrates his strike in Celtic’s Scottish Cup semi-final triumph over Aberdeen last season on their way to a 1-0 success in the derby showdown in May.
“It’s good when players come in and really freshen it up. That’s what’s happened so far.
“For myself, the end of last season was really good, I really enjoyed my football. And I’ve enjoyed the start of this one, as well.”
Forrest, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “Obviously, I’m getting older, but I feel I’ve still got a part to play and I love it here.
“Being at Celtic, such a massive club – I’ve been here my whole career.
“I’d love to stay on and that will maybe come into the discussion at some point.”
The multi-honoured forward added: “I’ve started this season feeling good and I haven’t even thought about stopping, to be honest. I’m really enjoying playing just now.
“I’m looking forward to being involved in big games like the Champions League the other night.
“The squad has a really positive feel about it just now, so I want to keep working hard and play in as many games as I can.”
*DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Celtic v Falkirk at Parkhead this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
