FORREST AIMS FOR NEW EURO MEMORIES

It was another memorable night under the floodlights at Parkhead when the Hoops came back from two goals down to knock out their Kazakhstan rivals 3-2 on aggregate.

Now the 23-year-old winger wants the chance to make new memories among Europe’s elite.

Icelandic champions Stjarnan visit Glasgow a week on Wednesday as the first of three qualifying opponents who will have to be overcome.

Forrest said: “Getting through to the group stages is class. Celtic should be in the Champions League and that night against Shakhter Karagandy was unbelievable. It is one I will never forget.

“We had lost the first leg, of course, so the way things turned out was extra special. Because the goal came in the last minute, everyone was on such a high.

“All the boys want that feeling again. We all just hope that we can go and do it over the next few games in the qualifiers.

“We didn’t make it last year, but that’s football. We have a good squad this year and all the boys have come back looking sharp.

“The big aim right at the start of the season is to get that Champions League place and that’s what we are all working to try and do.

“Last summer, the manager had just arrived. It’s more settled now. We all know what he wants from us.

“I’m confident we will be ready in time. If you look at the first friendly we played  – the 2-0 win over Den Bosch last Wednesday – we didn’t concede a goal.

“Obviously, we lost five against Dukla Prague, but they were a good team.

“The minutes all the boys played will be good for everyone and we will keep working hard ahead of the qualifiers.

“I think the coaches have been to watch a few of the Stjarnan games, so they will get us ready.

“And we know that they played Motherwell last season and got a good result. It will be a hard game and we need to all make sure that we are fit and ready for it.”