Top Line Summary

  • Says his game is in a good place
  • His EURO chances
  • Admits it's his best-ever volley
  • His role as a 'father figure'

Everything Celtic player James Forrest said after his team's win over Dundee at Dens Park...

You had a nice cameo last weekend were you surprised to get a start this weekend?

No. Since I came back into the squad five or six weeks ago I feel that I've really contributed when I came on. Last weekend was really good personally and getting into the final was great. I was delighted to get the start and I scored a couple of goals and we got all three points. It was a great day all around.

Did Kyogo mean to set you up? It was a beautiful finish.

He said he did. I don't think he meant it! It was good as I felt as if the goal was coming. Sometimes in these games, it can be hard but that helped settle us down. I was glad to get on the scoresheet again.

You mirrored the result in Paisley you are adept and experienced at handling the pressure, aren't you?

I think it is important that we all do. Going into every game every new signing knows that they are all massive right from the start of the season. When it gets to this point in the season the pressure is ramped up. We have got a good squad.

Are the Euros in the back of your mind?

No. I have not thought about it once. I wasn't in the squad in January/February time and I have been buzzing being back in about it with the boys. I have managed to get on the scoresheet and help the team a few times. I just want to take it game by game and keep helping out here.

What was it like when you were fit and were not in the squads? Was that a difficult period?

Yes, it was. If you ask any player they will tell you the same. Throughout my career, I have never had it before and it was something different for me. You have to believe in yourself and you know because I was a bit older that football can change so quickly due to injuries and suspension and especially at Celtic if you don't win a game then the manager might change his mind. I knew that if I kept training well I was thinking to myself that I might get another chance. In the last five or six weeks I have got back in and I need to keep doing that to remain a part of it.

Is this as good a spell as you've produced under the manager since he was here the last time?

It was probably my best spell when he was at the club first time. When he came back I felt really fit from pre-season right up until November. We obviously have a lot of wingers in the squad and you need to fight for your place at a big club like Celtic. It has never been any different. I’ve just kept training and I’ve enjoyed being back involved in the last five or six weeks. I just want to look to the next game and contribute again.

Have you booked a holiday whilst Scotland is playing in the Euros?

I’ve not got a holiday booked! You never book a holiday early in this game, it’s always last minute. If you ask any Scottish player, you’d want to be involved. I went to the last Euros and it was a great experience from the first day of camp to the end. My last cap was at the Euros. I need to concentrate on what I am doing here.

Was that one of your best-ever volleys? Have you hit any sweeter?

That was one of my best volleys, that’s for sure. I was confident going into the game after last week. I was delighted with it.

These Celtic players who know how to win, don't they?

We have always won trophies here. Sometimes on the outside people might talk about pressure games but every game is a pressure game at Celtic. Even at the start of the season, there is pressure on every game. We have the manager, coaches and players with the right mentality. 

What about him calling you a father figure?

That does make me feel old. I don’t mind that. At Celtic as a forward player – not just an experienced one – you need to be able to take the pressure off the team but scoring goals and having assists. That’s how it is, no matter what age you are.

Can these two goals be massive goals in terms of the title race?

They could be massive. The three points were very important. We knew all the stuff that went on with Dundee’s pitch and stuff. They are in the top six and are having a very good season. We knew it would be a hard game so I was delighted to get the goals and to win the game. Every game is massive right now.