SHVED’S HEAD IN THE CLOUDS
CRAIG SWAN
JAMES FORREST was never going to get big-headed as a kid with Neil Lennon and Scott Brown cracking the whip.
That was a decade ago when the young winger was just breaking into the Celtic top team.
Fast forward 10 years and he’s now made it. Champions League player, international hero and the winner of 16 trophies.
Yet, Forrest still has Lennon and Brown to answer to – and remains as grounded as the day he walked in the door. Named SFWA International Player of the Year last night to add to his PFA Scotland Player of the Year, it’s tangible reward for his outstanding contributions for club and country this term.
At the age of 27, the attacker is approaching his peak years. In fact, they’ve already started. However, there’s still something of the academy kid within Forrest’s demeanour. Off the pitch, he’s quiet.
In an era when players can’t wait to hit social media or mouth off about their achievements, he’s one of the rare gems who stays out of the limelight.
Forrest just goes into Lennoxtown and does his work or goes on to the pitch and shines.
No histrionics, stupid celebrations, daft hairdos, ridiculous tweets or sleeve tattoos. Just performances. Forrest has barely changed since he first walked into the top-team dressing room. He said: “Everyone has different personalities, but I prefer to stay grounded. I don’t hide but social media is not my thing, which isn’t to say that other lads are wrong to do it. “Sometimes, if you go over the top, then within days it can come back at you. I deal with the highs and lows in the same way. “When you first break through, the first-team players and staff would be a bit harsher on young boys to keep you in line and I’ve taken that through the years with me. It’s still in my head. “If you stepped out of line when I was younger, there were older players who’d make sure that never happened again. “Broony was like that then and he’s still on top of the young boys now, which is a good thing because you don’t want kids thinking that they c.swan@dailyrecord.co.uk have made it just because they’ve played in the first team.
“There were a lot of big characters around when I first joined the squad, including the current manager. He’s one of those who doesn’t like it when anyone gets ahead of themselves.”
Clearly, it’s a modest approach which has worked well for Forrest.
Before Brendan Rodgers’ arrival, he was a talented game-changer but lacked consistency. Forrest also had various injury issues which disrupted his flow, but that’s all changed in the past three terms.
Regularly available for selection and regularly winning games for Celtic, the winger has put it all together in spectacular style.
And Forrest admits appreciation of his position at Celtic is one of the major reasons why it’s clicked as he explained: “The last couple of seasons have been really enjoyable and I believe that you do play your best football when you’re enjoying it.
“I’ve always felt that to stay with Celtic for my entire career would be unbelievable. We’re still a long way away from that happening but I’m really enjoying it and, over the last few years, I’ve discovered that this club is bigger than even I had realised before.
“I’m delighted to be here and I’ll keep working hard to ensure that I can stay here. I’ve spoken to more players than you might think who have left here and then wished that they hadn’t.
“Many would tell you themselves that they didn’t realise what a big club this is until after they’d gone. Of course, some of them moved on to have a different experience and probably wouldn’t change things.
“There’s no right or wrong but I now know how big Celtic truly is and how successful we can be.
“Being more experienced definitely helps. When you come up against better players on bigger occasions then it changes your approach to the game and you take something from that.
“It also helps when you look back at what you’ve won.
“Everyone knows, at the start of each new season, that it’s going to be difficult to keep it going but we keep working hard to give ourselves a chance.”
Of course, relentless drive for success and achievement doesn’t afford that much time for such reflection and satisfaction.
At Celtic, the demands are such that trophies are celebrated for no more than a day or two and it’s onto the next target.
Forrest savours it and said: “I remember the first trophy we won under Rodgers.
“We had a game three days later, so we didn’t get the chance to celebrate it the way some other teams do. You can still enjoy it but not in the traditional way.
“But when you’re successful then you do play more matches and when you get to this stage it’s all about winning the league and preparing for cup finals. Any player would want to be in that situation.
“It’s been unbelievable and you don’t really want it to stop. You want to keep going.” MARYAN SHVED finally checked in at Celtic and admitted he can’t wait to lead the charge as the Hoops target nine in a row.
The Ukrainian wideman signed for the Hoops back in January but was immediately loaned back to Karpaty for the remainder of the campaign.
Shved smashed in 15 goals in 26 appearances for Karpaty and was also the recipient of the Ukrainian Premier League Player of the Month for March award.
He built up a cult following among the Celtic supporters even before kicking a ball for the club after banging in a few spectacular goals which were uploaded to YouTube.
The 21-year-old has already started training at Lennoxtown and admitted he can’t wait to sample the unique experience and atmosphere of Celtic Park.
He’ll take in Sunday’s title party against Hearts as a fan before treading on the hallowed turf of Paradise as a player next season.
He also revealed how he was blown away by the reception he received from Hoops fans when he was out and about in Glasgow.
Shved said: “It’s great to finally be here at Celtic. I’ve been really excited about BY ANTHONY HAGGERTY coming and now I’m here. I’m looking forward to starting my Celtic career. I’ve had a great few days at the training ground and I’ve spent my time working hard as I always do.
“The next few weeks will be a great chance for me to get to know the club, players and other people at Celtic.
“I’ve had a brilliant welcome and I’m grateful to everyone for making me feel at home. I’ve been out in Glasgow and had the chance to meet some of the fans which has been great fun and, again, they have treated me so warmly.
“I’m already thinking ahead to next season. I can’t wait to get out at Celtic Park in such a brilliant arena and play for the fans.”
Shved has been regularly tuning in to Hoops games and insists he was inspired by watching his new teammates clinch their eighth straight league title.
He said: “When I was in Ukraine I was keeping up to date with every Celtic game. I was so excited to watch my new club each week head towards the title.
“It’s an unbelievable achievement. I’m looking forward to our title party on Sunday.”
JAMES FORREST