JAMES FORREST joined an exclusive Celtic club of three after setting up Callum McGregor for the late winner against Aberdeen at Pittodrie yesterday.
Only three minutes remained with the encounter locked at 0-0 when the 31-year-old Scotland international winger drifted inside as the Hoops once again attempted to unpick the lock of the home side’s massed defence.
Forrest, who had replaced Filipe Jota in the 73rd minute, knocked the ball sideways to his comeback captain who took a touch with his right to set up a left-foot drive from the edge of the box that arrowed sweetly into keeper Kelle Roos’ bottom left-hand corner for the winner.
THREE CHEERS…James Forrest celebrates his 100th Celtic goal in the 6-1 win over Hibs in October.
THREE CHEERS…Jimmy ‘Jinky’ Johnstone accepts the acclaim of the Celtic support after another masterclass in a Scottish Cup Final replay victory over Rangers in 1971.
THREE CHEERS…the legendary Henrik Larsson with the trademark Celtic goal celebration.
McGregor admitted he didn’t realise it was the Hoops’ 200th competitive strike since Ange Postecoglou arrived 18 months ago, as CQN reported earlier today.
It was also a landmark moment for the evergreen raider who has now scored 100 goals and also assisted in the same magic number at the club.
And that puts one-club man Forrest right up there with club legends Jimmy Johnstone and Henrik Larsson.
The crucial squad player, who is under contract until June 2025, is enjoying the current campaign as he goes about his business and he took the spotlight in the 6-1 victory over Hibs at Parkhead on October 15 when he fired in a chat-trick to become a Celtic centurian with a ton of goals.
Forrest, who has been at the Hoops since the age of 11, has made 457 appearances for the Parkhead side.
His goal tally is just a bit behind that of Larsson who claimed 242 goals after arriving from Feyenoord in 1997 while the iconic Johnstone collected 135 strikes in his 13-year career.
Forrest may just have Jinky’s tally in his sights when Livingston provide the opposition at Parkhead on Wednesday evening.
CALLUM’S CRACKER IS WORTH THE WAIT
