I couldn’t have won all these gongs without my family but I’m glad that strike will shut my brother up
7-in-a-row veteran James so glad to have buried curse with Old Firm goal
JAMES FORREST savoured his seventh title at Celtic.
But it was the end of a four-year caning from brother Alan that really thrilled the winger after his stunning solo goal in the championship-clinching triumph over Rangers.
Forrest capped a magnificent campaign with a blistering effort to help sink the Light Blues.
Astonishingly, it was his first goal in the Old Firm derby in his 16th outing – with Forrest relishing the moment and chance to get his young brother off his back.
Since 2014 Alan has been able to poke fun at his elder sibling for being two up in the scoring stakes against the Ibrox side.
Forrest junior scored against Rangers four years ago for Ayr – then grabbed another one in the Scottish Cup this term.
Until Sunday those were the only goals in the family against Gers and the Celtic ace was glad to halve the deficit with his sensational solo strike.
He said: “He has been on at me about it for a wee while now. He sent me a message and said, ‘Give us a goal’. I managed to do that. I’m buzzing.
“It was long overdue. I was absolutely delighted with the performance and the result and with scoring the goal. It was a great day all round.”
Forrest’s goal sparked manic scenes at Parkhead which even resulted in teammate Mikael Lustig donning a policeman’s hat during their wild celebrations.
The scorer said: “I heard about it afterwards.
“He gets a wee bit carried away but you can do that when you start well and put in a good performance. All the boys were at it right from the start.”
No one was sharper or more at it than Forrest.
The Scotland ace has been an outstanding contributor for Brendan Rodgers this season with a bundle of goals and top-level displays.
Forrest’s dynamic displays put him into contention for individual awards and he was on the shortlist for the PFA Scotland Player of the Award won by his teammate and skipper Scott Brown.
The attacker feels it’s the best campaign of his career and he said: “I’ve been delighted with the way the full season has gone.
“Scoring against Rangers was incredible for me and for the team. We just want to keep the momentum going into the Scottish Cup Final.
“Obviously when you are playing against Rangers they have got good players. No matter who you are playing it is going to be a hard game. We just focus on ourselves.
“We give the opposition respect but we know if we turn up we can do that to any team with the hunger we have. I was delighted for everyone in the squad and for the team.
“It’s unbelievable. To win it on Sunday at home in front of all our fans was incredible.
“The atmosphere from kick-off right to the end was fantastic. The fans all stayed to the end.”
Only Forrest and Brown have been at the club for every single one of the seven successive title wins since 2012.
It’s been a magnificent run for the kid who once starred for the Academy set-up and he lined up a list of coaches who have helped him on his way.
From Neil Lennon, who gave him his big break in the Celtic line-up, to boss Rodgers, to international coaches such as Gordon Strachan who have guided him on the right path and moulded the 26-year-old into a toplevel performer. Forrest reflects with satisfaction at his achievements and reckons he’s living out a Bhoyhood dream with his role in Rodgers’s set-up.
He said: “It is a dream come true to play so many games and win so many titles. It just makes you hungry to win even more when you see scenes like we had on Sunday.
“I always remember coaches telling me as I came through the youth ranks that not many players make it, especially at a club like Celtic. Very few come right through.
“The dream is to make your debut
I was delighted with the performance and with the goal JAMES FORREST
and after that you want more. I just want to keep going.
“Who has helped me? Youth coaches who helped me when I was coming through but Lennon for giving me my debut.
“Not a lot of managers give young kids debuts. Definitely Lennon.
“My family as well. You can’t do it without your family behind you. International coaches too. There are so many.
“I don’t think it is fair to name just one or two. The gaffer as well. I have had a lot of good influences. You just need to take that experience and try to work with that.
“I maybe could have left but in my head I always wanted to stay here. Once the gaffer came in I made that clear. I was buzzing when he arrived.
“I haven’t looked back since signing that deal and getting that out of the way.
“Celtic is a massive club. I have always wanted to stay here as long as I can. I will keep working hard to
make that happen.”