Clarke’s courtesy call a reminder to Forrest of role he played in history

AMID the screams and shouts as Scotland finally navigated their way to a first major tournament in 23 years, James Forrest heard quiet words of comfort. Sitting at home after ankle surgery ruled him out of playing a part in the national team’s journey through the Euro 2020 play-offs to eventual penalty shoot-out victories against Israel and Serbia, the Celtic winger celebrated from afar.

But despite his absence, the 29-year-old was still contacted by Steve Clarke. After all, it was Forrest’s five goals in Nations League matches against Albania and Israel which contributed to Scotland’s progress.

During what was a monumental achievement for those away on international duty, Forrest was grateful to still be in the thoughts of the Scots boss.

‘I missed the October and November camps and managed to speak to him both times, which was good because sometimes when you are injured, you can feel like you are not a part of it,’ said Forrest.

‘But speaking to him made me feel better, so it was good of him to do that.’

While Forrest was recovering at home, he missed out on the wild celebrations among the travelling group in Belgrade.

But the midfielder’s ecstasy did not diminish as, like thousands of families across Scotland, he witnessed the triumph on TV.

‘It was nerve wracking,’ he said. ‘I had just had my operation and was back home. It was definitely nerve wracking, what with Serbia scoring in the last minute.

‘I was delighted with the boys. I was texting them all after the game — it was some achievement.

‘Of course I wish I had been there! You want be part of the big moments but I played my part in us getting there (five goals in the two games v Albania and Israel), and it was great to watch us kick on.

‘There was big pressure on the boys with the two penalty shoot-outs and the boys handled it so well.’

Clarke names his squad on Tuesday for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Austria, Israel and Faroe Islands.

Having made his return to the Celtic team as a late substitute against Dundee United last weekend, Forrest naturally may have to wait to be back among the international set-up as he works on his fitness.

But Forrest remains excited for Scotland’s opening group game at this summer’s tournament against Czech Republic, scheduled for Hampden, on June 14.

‘It has been a long campaign one way or the other,’ said the Celtic player. ‘The games against Albania and Israel (under Alex McLeish) seem like they were ages ago.

‘But now the finals are in sight and I think the whole country will be buzzing for the summer — I certainly am. Absolutely.’

May 29 will mark 10 years since Forrest made his senior debut for Scotland against the Republic of Ireland in the Carling Nations Cup in Dublin.

Forrest admits he is proud to have represented his country for a decade and believes he still has plenty to contribute.

‘I can remember it, that was the Carling Nations Cup at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin,’ reflected Forrest. ‘We lost 1-0.

‘To be honest, I would not have known it was so long ago but it is good that I have been involved with Scotland all that time. Hopefully I still have a few years to go.’ Forrest turns 30 on July 7 and is determined to return to full fitness. It has been a season packed with woe for the Scot personally but also for his club as Celtic’s dreams of winning ten in a row crumbled. Ahead of his 30th birthday, he said: ‘It guess it might feel like a milestone when it comes but, as I said before, when I got injured I felt in the best shape ever.

‘With the rehab I have done, I am getting close to hitting those numbers and over time I will hopefully reach them.

‘I don’t want to come back and just go through the motions. I want to get back to the very high levels I was at before and that has probably made me more frustrated.’ Explaining his rehab, Forrest (pictured) added: ‘I have been running since the start of January, so my fitness does feel good but it is totally different going into games than it is working with the physios and the sports scientists. ‘I feel good and it is really about getting game time to get up to speed.

‘Everything you do now is tracked and monitored. That is part of the rehab, the couple of weeks before you go back into training you need to start hitting as close to what you did before.

‘That has been a good marker for me because I am getting up to the speeds I was at before.’