JAMES FORREST’S Celtic future should be settled before the end of the season.
The evergreen winger, who will celebrate his 35th birthday in July, is out of contract in June and has yet to receive the offer of an extension.
Interim boss Martin O’Neill, who saw the Scotland international play a pivotal role in the Hoops’ 6-2 Scottish Cup semi-final triumph over St Mirren at Hampden yesterday, is adamant the player is worth at least another 12 months at the club.
The Irishman, speaking to the Daily Mail, said: “I would like to keep James for one more year, at least, so that he could see his career through at the football club.
“I would be asking the board.
ON THE BALL…James Forrest made his presence felt at Hampden.
“With just a little burst in the one-v-ones, he has changed a number of games for us.”
Forrest, who came on for Sebastian Touneki just after the hour mark, was handed the skipper’s armband when Callum McGregor made way for Luke McCowan in the 73rd minute.
And the veteran flanker played a captain’s role early in the first period of the added-on half-hour against the Paisley club when he sent over an inviting right-wing cross for Kelechi Iheanacho to head in the third.
Moments later, another ball from Forrest was deflected to McCowan who rolled in the fourth.
Iheanacho claimed the fifth and Benjamin Nygren completed an amazing scoring burst with No.6 to set up a Scottish Cup Final meeting with Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline in the showpiece occasion at Hampden on Saturday May 23.
Back in December, Forrest, who had netted in the 3-2 win over Aberdeen to maintain scoring every season in 17 years for his only club, admitted: “To play at this club for such a long time has been unbelievable and I’ve enjoyed every minute.
“It’s great to help the lads and keep going.”
Forrest has won a record 26 honours at Celtic. Looks like he is going to get the opportunity to add some more before he calls it a day.
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