FORREST FIRED
James: I’m desperate to grab a goal v Gers and silence my wee bruv... he’s always going on about his two strikes against them for Ayr United
JAMES FORREST admits it won’t just be Glasgow bragging rights on the line when Celtic hit Ibrox next week.
There will be a sibling rivalry on the go as well as an Old Firm one. There’s not much missing from the winger’s Celtic CV – having hoovered up 12 trophies in his eight years in the first team.
But his wee brother Alan does have something to boast about at Forrest family gatherings. The Ayr star has managed to hit the net against Rangers – twice.
He was on target in the Scottish Cup defeat to Gers last month having already stuck one past the Light Blues in the league in 2014. But older bro James has yet to score against the Parkhead side’s fiercest foes.
It’s a record the more senior member of the Forrest football clan is desperate to put right and he’s targeting his first Old Firm goal in next week’s Premiership showdown in Govan.
James said: “Alan has told me a few times he’s scored against them twice now so hopefully I can peg him back. I’ve never scored against Rangers and I would love to do it.”
Forrest is desperate to score but knows it’s the points that matter, not the plaudits. The Premiership table looks tighter than it has done for years and while the Hoops are hardly shaking in their boots they are more mindful of the gap now.
Rangers have been the form side in the last few weeks and even though Celtic have been the dominant force in Scotland Forrest won’t be expecting another cruise in the derby.
He said: “It will be a hard game. They have being doing well since the break and it is always a tough game whenever we go to Ibrox so we know it will be a tough one again.
“You relish these big matches. That is what you want with Celtic. Every game is a pressure one and there is a lot on every fixture you play.
“It doesn’t matter who you are playing, there is always massive pressure. But when you are playing the teams around you then you want to show you are at Celtic for a reason.”
The Scottish Cup is up first with Morton heading to Parkhead this weekend and Forrest is determined to maintain the form that’s fired him in to the Player of the Year frame. He has bagged a career-best 16 goals this term already but is out to smash through the 20 barrier.
Forrest said: “Has it been my best season? Definitely. It’s been really enjoyable, playing in Europe in the Champions League, winning the cup final and scoring goals as well as playing in internationals. That’s what you want to do and it’s been great so far. “We’ve 10 league games, a few internationals and a few cup games left as well so hopefully I can keep doing what I’m doing.
“This is the first year I have hit double figures. There are a few more games to go and I just want to play as many as I can and score a few more – I would be happy with that.” Forrest’s blinding form has made him one of Brendan Rodgers’s first picks.
But he knows he can’t stick the feet up and relax just yet with the likes of Charly Musonda around and Patrick Roberts coming back to fitness after a long lay-off.
Roberts could be involved this weekend but Forrest is determined to be Celtic’s main wing king.
He said: “You look at the squad and we have so many players. We can do 11 versus 11 in training and still have players not involved. We have quality in every position.
“The manager says to us you need to be at it every day in training because if you aren’t there is always someone waiting to take your place.
“There is competition and I do think it brings out the best because you know if you don’t perform then you won’t play.”
Celtic are still on top and in the hunt for another treble but there has been the odd stutter along the way this term.
Forrest admitted the punishing schedule at home and in Europe has hit hard but now that the Hoops have a clear run they are determined to show their rivals a clean pair of heels.
Last Sunday’s win against Aberdeen at Pittodrie was a major show of intent and Celts are ready to put their foot down.
Forrest said: “The gaffer said that after the game. After the Zenit defeat last Thursday everyone was gutted but to come back and play the team that is just behind us in the league was good.
“So to go there, keep a clean sheet and get the win made it a good day all round and hopefully we can take confidence from that.
“Since pre-season it has been a game every three days. When you look at the schedule now we have a few week-to-week games and the manager likes to get hard training sessions in there and prepare us for the tests coming up.
“We have a big squad and everyone will be raring to go.”