Sibling rivalry firing Forrest up to break Old Firm goal duck

AS the 14th most decorated player in Celtic’s history, James Forrest’s personal bucket list is diminishing with each passing year.

A dozen major honours since making his debut in 2010 coupled with some 20 Scotland caps represent significant achievements for the winger. So much so that it’s legitimate to ask what else there is for him still to tick-off.

In football, as in life, though, there is always a door still to be opened or a stone unturned. On Sunday week at Ibrox, the winger intends taking care of a seriously outstanding matter.

In 13 games to date against Rangers, Forrest has yet to find the back of the net. Given he has scored against every other top-flight club, it’s becoming something of an irritation.

His natural annoyance at the anomaly isn’t helped by a little sibling rivalry. His brother Alan, who plies his trade on the flank for Ayr United, can claim two career goals against the Ibrox side, netting most recently in a televised Scottish Cup tie.

‘He has told me that he scored against them twice now so hopefully I can peg him back,’ Forrest smiled.

‘I would love to do that. It will be a hard game. They have been doing well since the break and it is always a tough game when we go to Ibrox.’

The way things are currently going for the 26-year-old, though, it would be of little surprise if his brother’s taunts are muted come Sunday week.

Since making his debut as an 18-year-old under Neil Lennon, Forrest’s Celtic story has largely been one of frustration.

Sure, there have been moments of brilliance; that last-minute winner against Shakhter Karagandy chief among them. But a succession of niggling injuries have denied him the form and consistency all players crave. Until now, that is. A dejected figure under Ronny Deila, he looked destined to slip quietly out of the door for an English Championship team of his choosing.

Brendan Rodgers’ arrival in 2016 changed that at a stroke. A new deal signed, the winger looked fitter and hungrier than he’d ever been last term. Eight goals was a very decent return. This season, the progress graph has continued to rise. Already with double last season’s tally to his name, the prospect of hitting 20 goals is now well within his grasp.

‘This is the first year I have ever hit double figures,’ Forrest added. ‘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.’

It goes without saying that the combination of his form and a strike rate which would be the envy of many a centre-forward has made this his most fulfilling season to date.

‘Definitely,’ he concurred. ‘It’s been really enjoyable, playing in Europe in the Champions League, winning the (Betfred) 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 got 10 league games, a few internationals and a few cup games left as well, so hopefully I can keep doing what I’m doing.’

A comprehensive defeat in St Petersburg last week put paid to Celtic’s ambitions of carrying the fight on all fronts.

But the incentives for the rest of the season remain enormous. Weather permitting, Rodgers’ side can take another step towards retaining the Scottish Cup they won last year by defeating Morton tomorrow.

With Rangers now within six points of them, albeit having played one game more, there is no room for error in the remaining 10 league matches.

‘That is what you want to do with Celtic,’ Forrest reflected. ‘Every game is a pressure game. It doesn’t matter who you are playing. But when you are playing the teams round about you, then you want to show that you are at Celtic for a reason. You want to play in cup finals and big games.’

Despite the frustrations caused by the weather and the consequent postponement of Wednesday’s game with Dundee, Rodgers has been entitled to feel content this week.

Coming after a long trip back from Russia, Sunday’s trip to Aberdeen was fraught with danger. The response was the mark of champions.

‘The gaffer said that after the game,’ Forrest said. ‘After the defeat last Thursday everyone was gutted but to come back and play the team that is just behind us in the league and to go there and keep a clean sheet and get the win made it a good day all round. Hopefully we can take confidence from that.’

The only bonus to be taken from the European exit is the fact it makes the schedule between now and a hopeful return to Hampden for the Cup Final on May 19 less arduous.

‘Since pre-season it has been a game every three days,’ Forrest said. ‘When you look at the schedule now, we have a few week-toweek games. The manager likes to get hard training sessions to prepare us for the games coming up. We have a big squad and everyone will be raring to go.’

For Forrest, the imminent return of Patrick Roberts might be viewed as both a blessing and curse. So impressive was the Englishman last year that the Scotland international found his game minutes compromised. Without question, though, he’s thrived from the intense competition.

‘You look at the squad and we have so many players,’ he said. ‘We can do 11 v 11 in training and still have players not involved in that. We have a big squad with quality players in every position.

‘The manager always says to us that every day in training you need to be at it because, if you aren’t, there is always someone there waiting to take your place. There is competition and it does bring out the best because you know that if you don’t perform then you won’t play.’

Charly Musonda is a case in point. The on-loan Chelsea winger offers Rodgers options off the front or out wide and will doubtless play a key role as the Parkhead side seek to become the first in history to win back-toback Trebles.

The young Belgian has quickly identified the problems he will need to overcome to ensure his 18-month stay is successful.

‘The challenge here is unique because every team sets up to try and stop you,’ Musonda said.

‘That’s not an easy thing. In European games it’s more open and teams don’t really come out to try and stop us. In that respect, it’s hard because the games aren’t really set up like that, they aren’t as open and it’s harder.

‘There’s no doubt it’s a good learning curve for me so I think I’ll take that aspect of it. It’s a physical game here but it’s also physical in England so I’m used to that.

‘I enjoy this challenge, though, to try and break down teams who set up to block us and stop us from winning.’