MARATHON MAN James Forrest is looking forward to his THIRTY-SEVENTH encounter with Ibrox foes in the Scottish Cup quarter-final on Sunday.
The evenrgreen Celtic winger has emerged triumphant on 23 occasions and is determined to add to that in Govan to help guide the champions to a place in the last four of the competition, the only piece of domestic silverware that eluded the Hoops last season.
Forrest was an impact substitute against Danny Rohl’s side last weekend when he replaced Benjamin Nygren in the 85th minute.
Four minutes later, the 34-year-old flanker clipped over the right-wing cross for Daizen Maeda to head strongly for goal. The ball struck the hand of Dujon Sterling as it was scrambled clear.
TUSSLE AT IBROX…James Forrest fights for possession as Luke McCowan looks on.
Referee John Beaton was instructed by VAR to look again at the incident and had no option but to point to the penalty spot.
Reo Hatate netted the equaliser at the third time of trying after twice being denied by Jack Butland.
Looking forward to the clash, Forrest said: “I’ve played in these games for years and you can say that it’s totally different, form can go out the window.
“You look at the game last week, we were miles off it in the first-half and we rectified it in the second when the boys turned it around.
“It will be hard, but the manager and the coaches will look at the game from last Sunday and give us all the help they can.
“Obviously, it’s two games against Rangers at Ibrox and these are the games that all the boys and the fans want.
“It was important that we got a good result at Aberdeen in midweek, so now we can look forward to Ibrox.
JOB DONE…second-half substitutes Marcelo Saracchi and James Forrest after Celtic’s comeback 2-2 draw at Ibrox.
“It’s a chance to get to Hampden and to the semi-final, and that’s the focus. Everyone in the changing room will be giving their all on Sunday.”
Hoops will occupy the full Broomloan Road stand for the first time in eight years and the veteran Celt expects the players to be roared on with some vociferous backing from the travelling support.
Forrest, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “It’ll be great for the Cup-tie and it’ll be great for us, as well. Our fans last Sunday were really good even with the small allocation.
“On Sunday, it’ll be really good to come out the tunnel, look to the left and see all of our fans there and hopefully we can give them something to shout about throughout the game.
“When the fans are behind us it’s unbelievable. You could see the other night at Aberdeen when it was 1-1, they were so loud and it helps us.”
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