TOP TWO EARN A FINAL BOOST
against Hearts after his Ibrox injury scare.
Forrest, who scooped the SFWA International Player of the Year award last night, underwent scans on a hamstring injury and was forced to sit out last weekend’s Old Firm loss to Rangers.
However, the attacker is confident he won’t miss the big one at the National Stadium on Saturday week and says he could even be available for trophy day when Craig Levein’s troops head to Parkhead on Sunday for the season’s final Premiership game.
He said: “I’ve not really spoken to the medical staff yet but I should be fine for the Final.
“It’s still early and I’m taking it day by day. We have the final Premiership game against Hearts on Sunday, so I’m not ruling out being involved in that.
“My hamstring was just a little tight after the title win at Aberdeen so the manager didn’t want to risk it or push me and we’ll see what happens in the next few days. Like I say I’m not giving up hope on playing this weekend.
“When you play so many games it’s only natural you’re going to feel aches and pains but we have a great staff here and they help you to look after yourself.”
Lustig was also sent for scans having lasted just 44 minutes of the 2-0 defeat to Rangers.
Parkhead boss Neil Lennon confessed it was a recurrence of the hamstring injury the Swedish international sustained at Dons eight days before and the right-back was given medical checks.
But it’s believed the issue is not as serious as first feared and Lustig could still make the Final.
Forrest, meanwhile, says it’s business as usual despite defeat at Ibrox.
Gers reacted gleefully to their Old Firm win with skipper James Tavernier tweeting “Glasgow is Blue” after the win.
But Forrest says Celtic aren’t concerned about outside activities.
He said: “That’s up to them. There’s no masking the fact they were the better team and we admitted that but what they say doesn’t impact us. We’re just looking forward to our last two games.
“It’s clearly not a good thing when you lose an Old Firm game but, after the defeat in December, we went on a great run.
“It’s not nice for the club or players to go through that but the consistency we’ve shown in the last few years has been evident. It takes a lot to do that.
“That defeat has given us a wee shock and a reminder we need to be at it all the time if we’re going to keep winning cups and titles.
“Everyone will be down for a few days but the focus, once everyone is back in at Lennoxtown, will be we’re in the Final and have a chance to achieve the treble Treble. That’s unbelievable.”