Forrest’s delight at Moussa return

as well. You saw how many goals he contributed in big games last season. Yet, you forget how young he still is.

“After seeing him return against Ross County you know he is going to be a big player for us again this season. “

Meanwhile, Forrest has insisted that Celtic are ready to put down a statement this week as the club push for further domestic success.

Brendan Rodgers’ side head to dens Park on League Cup duty on Wednesday night before heading to Ibrox on Saturday afternoon.

Forrest has maintained that there has been no chat in the Hoops dressing room about following on from last season with back-to-back Trebles, but he has acknowledged that this week can allow Celtic to put down a marker.

“I think that is what happened last year with the 5-1 game at Celtic Park,” said the winger. “Most of the games were closer apart from the last one at Ibrox.

“We know it is going to be hard and we want to come out with a win.”

And Forrest believes that Celtic’s aim will be to improve upon that 5-1 win in the first clash between the sides last term.

“That is what it is all about,” he said. “It is about getting better and doing even more. We will be going there and looking for another positive result.

“That gives us confidence – the record we had against them last season. It is a new season and they have new players and we have new players. It is a clean slate so we have to make sure we go there and do a job.

“The atmosphere there is just like here in an Old Firm game.

“Last year we went there and managed to get a couple of victories. And we will be looking to do that again.”

Celtic could go eight points clear of Pedro Caixinha’s side with a win this weekend but Forrest is unperturbed about the possibility of such a gap opening up.

“It is still early days,” he said. “We only focus on ourselves. They dropped points on Friday night but we didn’t let that concern us.

“We just went out against Ross County and put on a performance and get confidence that way.”

HOOPS winger James Forrest has praised Moussa Dembele’s scoring return to the Celtic first-team.

The French striker netted his first goal of the season after returning from a hamstring injury and Forrest fully expects the 21-year-old to have the same impact that he did last term.

Dembele netted 32 goals i n his debut campaign for the club and Forrest, who bagged a brace in the 4-0 win over Ross County at the weekend, was delighted to see the player return.

“Even though it was his first start for a few months he was outstanding,” said the Scotland internationalist.

“He showed he was top quality and it was great to have him back. Having him back creates competition and that can only be good.

“You saw that last season when boys were missing and whoever stepped in scored goals and kept the consistency up. We are buzzing for him to be back and for him to score