Celtic TV exclusive: James Forrest delighted to be with Scotland again | OneFootball

Celtic winger, James Forrest has been a revelation this last couple of months, with a string of appearances accompanied by vital goals thrusting him into the limelight at the most crucial stage of the season.

This flurry of activity and a raft of flying performances from the Celt have delivered their own rewards at both club and country level.

One was tantalisingly within touching distance but never guaranteed, while the other came completely out of the dark blue.

With the Hoops, the title win brought the 32-year-old up to an amazing 23 winner’s medals, equal with the great Billy McNeill, and, at national level, he’s been recalled to the provisional Scotland squad along with fellow Celts, Callum McGregor, Greg Taylor and Anthony Ralston ahead of this summer’s Euros in Germany after three years without pulling on the dark blue shirt.

In an exclusive interview with Celtic TV, he said of his recall:  “It’s a massive bonus and really good after the last couple of months.

“It’s a great end to the season and a great experience to go away with the national team to the Euros.

“Just after training I came into the changing room and the squad had been announced, so it was good and obviously there’s a few other boys from Celtic going as well.

“I know most of the boys in the squad, even though it’s a few years since I’ve been in the squad. I still know most of the staff and the players as well and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Finding out he was back in the national team set-up came as a surprise to the player, even if his form over recent months set the jungle drums beating out the call for him to make the trip to Germany.

He said: “Outside, people were talking and maybe asking me questions, but I’ve honestly just loved the last couple of months, contributing and helping for Celtic.

“Then you reap the rewards with the national team coming in as well.”

With five goals in 38 games for the national side, Forrest is hoping to add to that tally in Germany during the summer when the Scots take on the host nation as well as Switzerland and Hungary, and he’s obviously enjoyed representing his country.

He said:  “I’ve always loved it. I’ve always thought that you do well for Celtic and you get in.

“I’ve played a lot of big games for Scotland, went to the last Euros as well and I’ve a lot of good memories playing for Scotland.

“I’ve played with loads of different players, different managers and it’s been great to look back on, and hopefully I can make another memory this summer as well.”

Many of those memories with the national side were made at Hampden – a venue where he isn’t short of a memory or two with Celtic, and he returns to the National Stadium this Saturday as the Celts take on Rangers in the Scottish Cup final.

Forrest said: “It’s big occasions at Hampden with Celtic and I’ve really enjoyed that for a number of years, and scored in the semi-final to get to the final as well, so on a personal note I think it’s great.

“You want to keep involved in semi-finals and finals with Celtic and I’m really looking forward to it.”

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