EXACTLY a year ago today, James Forrest fired a hat-trick into the Hibs net in a 6-1 romp to become a ton-up Bhoy.
The evergreen winger, making his 451st first-team appearance, joined the exclusive Celtic Centurion Club following his devastating display in the art of finishing.
Forrest, now 32, became the 30th player in Parkhead history to hit 100 goals to shoot his way into the Hoops’ Hall of Fame alongside the legendary Jimmy McGrory, with the extraordinary total of 468 strikes, Henrik Larsson and Lisbon Lions Bobby Lennox, Stevie Chalmers and John Hughes.
The Scotland international forward’s timing was perfected as he celebrated his first Premiership start of the season.
NUMBER ONE…James Forrest celebrates his debut strike for Celtic in a 4-0 win over Motherwell at Parkhead on May 1 2010.
NUMBER ONE HUNDRED…in an almost identical pose, James Forrest races away after completing his hat-trick in the 6-1 rout of Hibs at Parkhead on October 15 2022.
Afterwards, Forrest smiled and admitted: “I’m buzzing.
“It’s incredible and I just want to keep working hard and score more goals. It’s a great achievement and a great feeling.”
Giorgos Giakoumakis claimed a double that afternoon in the east end of Glasgow and, amazingly in the space of just 12 months, the Greek is one of FIVE players no longer at the club.
Central defender Moritz Jenz and anchorman Oliver Abildgaard saw their season-long loan deals scrapped in January while Australian World Cup midfielder Aaron Mooy, with a year still to run on his contract, decided to retire as he neared his 32nd birthday.
Giakoumakis rejected new terms and left in early February for MLS outfit Atlanta United while Sweden-born Montenegrin international winger Sead Haksabanovic agreed a temporary transfer to Championship side Stoke City.
PRIZE GUYS…James Forrest and Callum McGregor with the Premiership trophy after the 5-0 Flag Day victory over Aberdeen at Parkhead on May 27 2023.
The team that day was: Hart; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Jenz, Bernabei; Mooy, O’Riley (sub: Abildgaard 65), Hatate (sub: Kyogo 70); Forrest (sub: Abada 65), Giakoumakis (sub: McCarthy 76), Haksabanovic (sub: Maeda 46).
Forrest has netted in every season since he made a goalscoring debut appearance in a 4-0 win over Motherwell at Parkhead on May 1 2010.
He has yet to get off the mark this time around, but no-one is betting that situation will not be altered by the time June rolls around.
