Celtic fix up Forrest for another four years
JAMES Forrest became the latest player to commit his long-term future to Celtic yesterday afternoon after signing a four-year deal to keep him at the club until 2022.
The 27-year-old has followed in the footsteps of Kieran Tierney, Tom Rogic and Leigh Griffiths by securing his long-term future with the Parkhead club.
Forrest has won 14 major honours with Celtic – seven league titles, four Scottish Cups and three League Cups – since making his debut in 2010 and is expected to go on to push his way onto the top 10 table of the club’s most decorated players over the next few seasons.
“From the first moment that I knew Celtic wanted to extend my deal, I knew this was what I wanted to do and there’s no other place for me,” Forrest told celticfc.net.
“It’s unbelievable when you think about how long I’ve been here. Coming through the youth academy, all I wanted to do was make my debut in the first team, and I was able to do that, but I could never think then that I’d go on to play the number of games that I have.
“I’m 27 now and I want to keep working hard, play as many games as I
can. I’ve been here since I since I’ve been a wee boy. It’s been my full life and I just want to stay here for as long as I can.”
“You know how big Celtic is as a club, all over the world, and every year we’re competing for trophies, every game you play is high pressure and, as a player, you’re always trying to better yourself and keep working hard. I’m delighted to be here for the next few years.”
The liklihood is that Forrest will end his career as one of the most decorated Celts to feature for the club, but sustaining success is not something that the Scotland internationalist takes for granted.
And as Celtic strive to claim their eighth successive title, Forrest is keen to play a pivotal role.
“You appreciate it and you don’t want to ever take anything for granted because it is hard to win cups and leagues,” said the winger.
“So every time you do win one, you’re delighted and you just to make sure you do it again, because you’re hungry for more. I’m here for another four years now and that’s what I want to keep doing.”
Forrest looked as though he would leave Celtic just as Rodgers arrived at the club after talks between him and the Parkhead side had stalled on a new deal. However, under Rodgers a new contract was signed relatively swiftly and Forrest has been one of the players who has clearly developed under the tutelage of the Hoops boss.
“You do get a chance here at Celtic as a youth player, and when you do, you just need to try to take it,” he said. “There’s nothing better than coming through and playing for this great club and it’s been a great journey for me.”