Forrest willing to sacrifice rest time to go on Americas trip with Scotland

HE may ultimately have no choice in the matter, but James Forrest has expressed a willingness to be involved in Scotland’s end-of-season trip to the Americas.

The SFA have struck an agreement to play far-flung friendly matches against Peru and Mexico, a decision that has reportedly caused some consternation at Celtic Park, where concerns have been mounting over an overloaded fixture schedule.

Acting as a World Cup warm-up act, Scotland are due to face the Peruvians in Lima on May 29 before winding up the season in Mexico City on June 2.

Celtic, who could have as many as eight players in the Scotland squad, have been pencilled in for a return to pre-season training barely a week later ahead of an expanded Champions League qualifying schedule featuring eight matches over four rounds.

Parkhead skipper Scott Brown, who has said he will take his international career on a month-to-month basis, would seem a certainty to miss the transatlantic assignment, while Celtic may also push for the remaining contingent to be given a rest.

Forrest would love a break but accepts modern-day players require a willingness to play throughout the year.

A knockback from preferred candidate Michael O’Neill means Scotland

remain without a manager but the SFA have pushed ahead with fixture plans, announcing March friendlies against Costa Rica and Hungary alongside the end-of-season schedule.

Forrest insists he would have no issue with playing in any of the four games.

‘Gordon Strachan used to say it, and other managers have too, that if you want to play at the top, then you have to get used to playing 50-60 games a season because that means you’re involved in every competition,’ he said. ‘Playing for your country, playing in the Champions League, I don’t think any boys will complain if that’s the opportunities they’ve got.

‘I’ve never been to Peru or Mexico and I’ve never played in a match where altitude has come into it.

‘A few of the boys here at Celtic, like Cristian Gamboa, have experienced it and have spoken about how difficult that will be.

‘Over the last couple of years, we’ve not had much time off in the summer, but the other side of that is you don’t lose fitness. You have a week off and then you’re straight back into it.

‘We’ll see who the new manager is and look forward to the Scotland games.’

Just as Strachan trusted in Forrest to make an impact for Scotland, it’s likely that his successor will seek to

I’ve never been to Peru or Mexico. It would be good to experience playing there

involve the winger in his game plan.

The trouble is that the 26-year-old is also one of Brendan Rodgers’ most consistent performers for Celtic and one who has a proven track record of making a key contribution in the Champions League preliminaries.

Forrest (right) downplays the importance of taking a holiday when set beside the issue of international service but, with talk loudening that PFA Scotland may intervene to help its members secure rest time, the issue may not come down to personal preference.

He added: ‘You need time off, of course, but we know the most important games are right at the start of the season to try to get into the Champions League.

‘Some rest would be ideal but this year we’ve got four Champions League qualifiers. If you want to play international football and in the Champions League, then you need to accept the sacrifice.’