JAMES FORREST is “absolutely delighted” to have signed a new one-year deal with Celtic.
The evergreen winger, who will be 35 in July, has the honour of being the club’s most decorated player with 26 trophies to his name – 13 league titles, seven Scottish Cups and six League Cups.
Forrest made his debut as a second-half substitute for Aiden McGeady in a 4-0 league win over Motherwell at Parkhead on May 1 2010.
He netted in that first appearance and has scored in SEVENTEEN successive seasons with a goal haul of 110 for his only club.
I’M IN CHARGE…James Forrest with the captain’s armband as he takes over from Callum McGregor during Celtic’s 6-2 Scottish Cup semi-final extra-time victory over St Mirren.
Since his introduction, the Scotland international forward has gone on to make 564 appearances, his latest outing coming in the 6-2 Scottish Cup semi-final victory over St Mirren on Sunday when he set up the third goal for Kelechi Iheanacho in extra-time to spark a scoring spree.
The fans’ favourite made it clear earlier this week he wanted to pen an extension at his boyhood idols, as CQN reported.
Forrest said: “I’ve been here my full career and I’ve loved every minute of it.
“We’ve been so successful in my time and I’m absolutely delighted to have signed another year and I’ll continue to give my best to the club for however long I’ll be here.
“While I’m still playing I can hopefully keep contributing and helping the team when I can and I’m just going to give it everything until I finish. When I do stop, I will look back on so many great memories, but, hopefully, I can make a few more before I do finish.”
Reacting to the news, Martin O’Neill, speaking to the Celtic website, continued: “I really want James to finish his career here at Celtic and I just didn’t want him to be going elsewhere.
HEAD BHOY…James Forrest rises to the occasion during Celtic’s scoreless stalemate in the derby at Ibrox in August.
“But the major point about taking anyone on is to know whether they’re worth an extra year and James has proved this season that he has been worth that.
“He has changed games and he has done wonderfully well. His contribution in recent weeks when he’s come off the bench has been absolutely terrific.
“So, take sentimentality right out of it, he’s deserved it.”
The interim Hoops gaffer added: “He’s been immense for the football club since Neil Lennon brought him in when he was a young kid in the reserves.
“That is what I love – I love players who take players on, even to have that little burst of pace at his age is worth its weight in gold.”
Forrest is hoping to be given another opportunity to prove his worth when the champions take on Falkirk a Parkhead on Saturday evening in the kick-off to the crucial five-game title run-in.
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