‘We take nothing for granted, Motherwell will make a game of it,’ James Forrest

JAMES FORREST, like the rest of the Celtic players, understand just how close they are to making history not just for Celtic but in Scottish football as a whole.

After last season’s Invincible Treble, the side retained the Betfred Cup last November with a 2-0 win over Motherwell. It was James Forrest who broke the deadlock early in the second half against the resolute Fir Parkers but the game is remembered more for the penalty awarded to Celtic shortly afterwards which was converted by Moussa Dembele.

Last Sunday Forrest played his part, although he’ll be disappointed not to have scored, in the 4-0 win over Rangers at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-final. The day before Motherwell took care of Aberdeen (3-0) in the other semi-final so it will be a repeat of the Betfred Cup Final on 19 May.

Before Celtic go for 6 trophies from 6, they have to secure the three points from their remaining 5 post split games to ensure that they win the Premiership for a Magnificent Seventh time in a row. Forrest and the rest of the team will want to wrap up the title as soon as possible so that means winning at Easter Road on Saturday lunchtime.

So the player had all this on his mind after an eventful day at Hampden on Sunday. A double treble, Motherwell in the final, pumping Rangers and not getting carried away. Yet.

“There’s no way we’ll look at the win over Rangers and think that we have done the hard part,” Forrest said.

“We have played Motherwell in the League Cup final already this season and it was a tough game. It was the same just recently at Fir Park when they held us to a draw there so we know that they’ll be out to make a game of it.

“But it is a bit like last season in that we take nothing for granted. We know that we have a great chance to go and make history but it is not like we’ll be thinking that way ahead of the game.

“But before that we need to concentrate on our league form because you know that everyone will want to play their part in getting us over the line now.”

Forrest was named by Scott Brown as the player the captain reckons should win Player of the Year. If Broony himself wasn’t a certainty for those accolades then Forrest would certain be the favourite. This has been his best ever season in a Celtic jersey.

“I have played more games and scored more goals than any other season that I have had in football,” Jamesy said.

“The manager has been brilliant with me. He has given me a lot of confidence.”

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About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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