JAMES FORREST will be looking to add to his Celtic record haul of 28 honours when the new season gets underway in three weeks’ time.
Brother Alan will be searching for a new club after being released by Hearts following their last-day Premiership failure at Parkhead.
Thirty-five-year-old Hoops star James became the first British player to lift a remarkable FOURTEEN titles and added to the astounding haul the following week in the Scottish Cup triumph over Dunfermline at Hampden.
The evergreen Celt replaced Yang Hyun-jun in the 62nd minute as the champions overcame their Tynecastle opponents 3-1 to clinch a historic 56th crown on the bright, sunny Saturday afternoon of May 16.
And the Scotland international winger was in at the start as Martin O’Neill’s men sealed the double over Neil Lennon’s Championship outfit the following weekend.
MAKE OURS A DOUBLE…James Forrest (second left) and his Celtic team-mates celebrate adding the Scottish Cup to the title they won the previous weekend.
Alan, six years the junior of his famous sibling, had been introduced to the action in the east end of Glasgow in the 67th minute as a replacement for Alexandros Kyziridis with the scoreline stalemated at 1-1 before the goals from Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand in the dramatic grand finale.
He wasn’t to know it at the time, but it was to be his last appearance for the Edinburgh club.
Watching from the stand that afternoon were the pair’s parents, Jimmy and Linda, as they witnessed an unforgettable conclusion to the league campaign.
Reflecting on the tension-laden encounter, James said: “Alan hadn’t been playing much up until that game. All my family were at the game then we both came on with about half-an-hour to go.
“I remember when he was at Ayr United, we always said we wanted to meet in the Cup, but we didn’t play against each other then.
“When he moved to Livingston, we faced each other a few times and it was the same with Hearts.
ON THE RUN…Celtic’s evergreen winger James Forrest in action during the scorless stalemate in the derby at Ibrox last August.
“Over the last few years I’ve played against him quite a lot. With the occasion and him being surprised to come on, there was a lot at stake for everybody. There was no time for wee jokes!
“Talking to my family afterwards, they were buzzing for me. But they were wanting to make sure my brother was all right, too, because it would have been a tough moment for him.
“You saw all the scenes at Hearts with all their fans in Edinburgh. It was a big day for them, so it would have been gutting for him.”
Forrest, speaking to the Scottish Sun, continued: “My family were there for Alan and it really was a split one. You could have gone on to win the league, you could have gone on to lose the league.
“It must have been really tough for the Hearts players. I didn’t actually manage to see Alan that day, but I saw him the next morning.
“He was disappointed and he was saying their lads and staff were gutted. He also told me once they went back to Edinburgh their fans gave them a great reception.
“That was good because with the season they’d had and the way they pushed us right to the end, it made it good for Scottish football.
“I think everybody was really interested in that. A lot can be said for what they did and there were a lot of positives for them.”
Forrest, who agreed a year’s extension last season, is currently gearing up for the latest crusade with his team-mates at the club’s training HQ on the outskirts of Albufeira.
The veteran flanker is delighted at the prospect of working once more with 74-year-old O’Neill and assistants Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham.
FOURTEEN AND COUNTING…James Forrest with one of his record Premiership titles.
Forrest commented: “The manager has been class.
“He had two spells last season and he’s got a good coaching team, too. It’s good to start off pre-season when he’s here. Everyone gets to know him right away when new signings also come in.
“As for myself, it’s unbelievable to still be here. I turned 35 the other day and I’m still enjoying pre-season.
“I don’t know how many more years I’m going to play, so I’m just going to try and enjoy it.
“I’ve really enjoyed it the last few years, but it’s not just about enjoying it. It’s a big club and they’re pressure games.
“You look at that last week of the season – you’re playing a part in the league decider then you’re starting in the Cup Final at 34.
“I still want to push myself. I’ve given everything to the club and will continue giving everything to the club for as long as I can to win more trophies, hopefully.”
Colombian striker Camilo Duran has joined the squad following his protracted £5.5million move from Qarabag and other recruits will follow as the squad undergoes a revamp.
Forrest welcomes the additional competition for a first-team place and remarked: “I think it pushes the lads who are here onto a new level. It’s important for the club, the staff and the manager because he’ll be wanting new signings.
“But I actually do think it benefits the players who are here. If players think ‘I’ve got that position sorted’ then somebody comes in and pushes them to try to get it, it takes you to a new level.
“I’ve experienced that myself. Every year I’ve been at Celtic, I’ve never come back for pre-season and taken it for granted because one bad game and you can have people questioning you.
“You always need to be at it “
On his first impressions of new Bhoy Duran, Forrest added: “He trained with us and looks good. He scored five goals in the Champions League last year as well.
“He looks like a good athlete and looks quick, as well, so it’s exciting.”
In the meantime, brother Alan, who scored 14 goals in 147 appearances for Hearts, waits to see where he will be playing in the forthcoming season.
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