Callum McGregor has paid tribute to James Forrest after the Hoops icon signed a new contract which will see him remain at the club for another season…
Callum McGregor of Celtic celebrates with teammate James Forrest after scoring his team’s first goal during the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Semi Final match between St Johnstone and Celtic at Hampden Park on April 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The announcement came yesterday morning, only days after Forrest played an influential role in the Scottish Cup semi-final victory over St Mirren, with the Forrest – already the club’s most decorated player – opting to extend his stay for another year.
Speaking at an SPFL top-six event, McGregor said via Celtic TV: “Yeah, it’s brilliant. First of all, it’s massively deserved, he’s someone that’s been at the club for a long, long time now, and knows the fabric of the place. He knows how it operates and what it takes to be a successful Celtic player.
James Forrest during Celtic’s 6-2 Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren at Hampden on Sunday 19 April 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
“He’s won countless trophies, I think he’s sitting first now, in terms of silverware. He’s someone with huge experience and is always there when you need him. In the game at the weekend there, he comes on and makes a massive impact and the team gets over the line. Somebody like that is invaluable to your building and your football club.”
Asked about the importance of Forrest despite his age, the Celtic skipper said: “I don’t think there’s much room for sentiment in football anyway, so the minute you’re not needed, you’re out the door. It just shows you how important he is, and how important he still is.”
James Forrest during Celtic’s 6-2 Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren at Hampden on Sunday 19 April 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
“As I touched on a few days ago, he came on and changed the game, showing the moments of quality to get us over the line. That experience and quality is so, so important for the club moving forward as well.”
Forrest changed the game on Sunday at Hampden, and he done the exact same at Ibrox in March which won Celtic a penalty which Reo Hatate took three attempts to finish. Game changing performances at Pittodrie and Dens Park, the Hoops legend will have a huge part to play in this title race.
Conor Spence
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There’s no denying that Forrest has earned a deserved contract extension.
Already shown his worth this season as an impact sub, which I still believe is going to be his role within our squad building process for next season imo?
On the bigger picture, I don’t see ourselves changing from wide options available next season.
Especially with Forrest, Jota and Seb expected to be part of our rebuilding squad process for next season?
Even so, it potentially leaves ourselves looking for 2 more wide options, especially if Maeda and Yang are to leave, which is possibly high on the agenda imo?
So 5 wide options sounds about right for a 25man European squad still. Would allow for another youngster, which would be great if any are available within our own development programme, but that still remains highly questionable?
Of course Forrest adds the added bonus of being regarded as a homegrown player still, with the ability to play both wide areas. Yet he still remains fairly unchallenged regarding a squad position, which is a massive failure within our development programme at present, all the same imo?
Still believe that next season, our team set up, will still consist of 4 wide options within a 20man match day squad?
The same as its been for the past 5 seasons.
So looking at adding potentially another 2 wide options remains a must, especially as there is so little proof to suggest that our current 2 wide options, are ever going to hit the standards we require?
Our wide options, have been mainly disappointing this season, especially in an area that can identify ourselves, as a club in our playing style and team set up.
These player’s can bring about the extra excitement within our overall play, which has been badly lacking on to many occasions this season.
Todays game might be determined by moments during a game, for which forrest still has the ability to provide, but as a team we still require much more next season in our squad building process imo?