Callum McGregor has paid tribute to his friend and teammate, James Forrest, as the Celtic winger prepares to celebrate his many years of service to the club in a testimonial match against Athletic Club from Bilbao. Forrest and McGregor came through the youth ranks together and broke into the team not far apart from one another years ago too.
Forrest was first to make the grade under Neil Lennon, who fresh off the back of losing one of our greatest academy talents, Aiden McGeady, needed a new player who the fans could relate to and be that poster-boy winger too in the traditional Celtic mould. Forrest would prove to be the very man, bursting onto the scene after Aiden’s departure and helping us forget all about the Irishman’s exploits in a Celtic jersey.
He really came into his own under Lennon and even at such a young age, you could see James was destined to be one of the Celtic greats. Arguably overlooked when supporters speak of great players who have donned that famous green and white hoops shirt, Forrest can hold his head high and put his medals tally against the very best; that much is self-evident.
Prone, as all wingers are, to blowing hot and cold over the years, it is still quite something to behold that he has hit a century of goals for the club and provided the same in assists throughout his time in the first-team at Celtic Park. All the more remarkable when you think that some of the great modern Celtic strikers never hit the 100-goal barrier.
McGregor speaks of his comrade so eloquently in the short snippet that the club’s media team have used to help advertise his upcoming testimonial match against Spanish side Athletic Club Bilbao. The skipper talks of a quiet and reserved man but yet someone who is equally as ruthless out there on the football pitch. I suppose it’s why he has become a Celtic Centurion!
Watch and listen to Celtic’s captain give James Forrest a glowing tribute…
💚 Callum McGregor hails James Forrest!
Tickets are available now for James Forrest’s Testimonial against @Athletic_en in Paradise 🏟
At James’ request, a significant proportion of the funds raised will go to two charities, @KilbrydeHospice & @FoundationCFC 🙌#CelticFC🍀
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) June 20, 2023
Just a reminder:
The match takes place Tuesday 1 August at Celtic Park and kick-off is at 19.30pm
And like a trooper and true gentleman, James has decided to give a portion of the proceeds to charity @KilbrydeHospice and @FoundationCFC.
CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.
Paul Gillespie
HUGE SAVINGS IN THE CELTIC STAR’S SUMMER SALE!
The Celtic Star’s book promotion has been so successful, with hundreds of books at great prices being posted to Celtic fans all over the world, that we’ve decided to continue with the sale until the end of July. We’ve reduced all six books currently available from their usual retail price of £20 and prices are as low as £6 (see below).
All books are high quality hardback, with some signed by the author. And it’s also worth noting that you only pay postage on one book, so it’s free for the second, third and so on. ORDER HERE or click on The Celtic Star image above…this is how it feels to be Celtic!
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- Summer Sale – Just £11
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- Summer Sale – Just £11
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- Harry Hood – Twice as Good
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- Summer Sale – Just £6
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- Summer Sale – Just £6
Deserves a good turn out as been a loyal and long servant of the club. Can be forgotten a little bit by some as they concentrate on the new heroes like Jota, Abada & Kyogo etc .. but, as Celtic fans we know our football and have long memories, so I hope fans are out in force to show appreciation for his loyalty, which, as we all know too feckin well, is VERY rare in football these days.