Another Year For Forrest

And what it might tell us about behind the scenes decision making

The news that James Forrest’s Celtic career had been extended by a further year, by the interim management team (!), was met with respectful indifference. This is inevitable once a player ceases to be mission critical, but on the back of a cameo to set up Kelechi Iheanacho for a game breaking extra time goal at Hampden fresh on the minds, there are also long memories of what Forrest has contributed to Celtic.

Over 100 goals and 100 assists going into what will be his 18 consecutive seasons as a first team player. Famously, he has scored in the previous 17 as well as accruing 26 winners medals, so far. Forrest’s Celtic career has impinged on three decades.

The need for experience and know-how going into what can only be a tumultuous summer transfer window, whilst maintaining the home-grown European quota, is not unwise, especially if, as likely, it is on reduced financial terms.

In short then, it is not a difficult decision to get behind, with the important caveat that he can at best be considered the fourth or fifth choice at the wing attack position.