Why evergreen Forrest is Celtic's enduring influencer
Cometh the hour, cometh the legend, clink-clanking his way on to the Hampden pitch, dripping with silverware from one of the most storied Celtic careers and, now, with the prospect of even more. James Forrest - 35 years young in July - helped turn Sunday's madcap Scottish semi-final in Celtic's favour. Evergreen, in every sense.
It turned into an absolute rout in breakneck speed but Celtic were reeling when it went into extra-time, the favourites surrendering a 2-0 lead against a St Mirren side who have looked them in the eye all season and shown zero fear. It was 2-2 and St Mirren had the momentum, then Forrest started to play. Thirteen league titles, eight Scottish Cups, five League Cups and an incalculable amount of hunger to add to his total.
Twenty-six winners' medals and he continues to play with the hunger of a guy who has won nothing. The goal that broke open the semi was Celtic's third and, though it was nodded home by Kelechi Iheanacho, it was masterminded by Forrest's energy and accuracy and craft in getting to the line and dinking a cross to his striker. Visit our Celtic page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views It was the goal that unsettled St Mirren, the goal that facilitated the deluge that came; three more followed in the next three minutes.
Forrest was involved in the one that made it 4-2 as well, Luke McCowan driving another stake into St Mirren's heart. Forrest tried to make things happen - and did. He was aggressive when Celtic had lapsed into timidity.
He was full of verve when too many of his team-mates were toiling. He was the spark. He lifted them all and helped carry them through a day that was brutally tough for a long time and then unimaginably easy for the rest of it.
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