JAMES FORREST is on course to win his SEVENTEENTH medal with Celtic as the Scottish Cup Final against Hearts at Hampden on May 25 looms into view.
The on-fire international attacker played his part in the champions’ 3-0 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie yesterday to claim the team’s eighth crown in a row.
Neil Lennon described the winger as “a legend” when he returned to the club as caretaker manager in February following the sudden departure of Brendan Rodgers to Leicester City.
And the unassuming Forrest, who is in the running for the PFA Player of the Year award after an impressive campaign, is on track to become the most decorated Celtic player. If he plays his part in a treble treble success, he will be the first 27-year-old to accumulate such an extensive haul of winners’ medals.
A collection of 17 would place him behind only Billy McNeill, 23, Bobby Lennox, 25, Jimmy Johnstone, 19, and Bobby Murdoch, Alec McNair and Jimmy McMenemy, all on 18.
Scott Brown could, of course, have a tally of 19 by the end of May too, but, of course, the Hoops skipper is six years Forrest’s senior.
ON FIRE…James Forrest has been consistent for club and country this season.
Praise has been plentiful for the player in recent seasons and, speaking to The Scotsman, he admitted: “I am not uncomfortable at all. You take it in and it gives you a wee bit of confidence because if people are talking like that then it means you are doing something right.
“The trophies make you want more all the time and things like that encourage you to keep striving for more.”
Forrest is showing no signs of wanting to quit the champions and could become a one-club loyal servant such as Parkhead great McNeill.
He added: “You don’t see that much nowadays, but I think Celtic is massive. You hear of players who go down south and a lot of them do say the clubs they are at are good, but they are nothing compared to Celtic.
“Everyone is different – other players do go down and enjoy it. I think here you know you are in Europe and you are going for trophies and I think it helps you with Scotland, as well.
“It is a massive club and because I came through the academy I appreciate that a lot.”
