Celtic announced on Thursday that veteran winger James Forrest has signed a new deal with the club. It is a short-term contract, giving him one more season in Glasgow at least.
Forrest joined Celtic's youth academy at just nine years old and has worked his way through the ranks since his first-team debut in 2010. He has made 564 appearances for the club, with 36 coming this season, providing 110 goals and 112 assists.
In the 17 seasons he has been with the Hoops, he has never failed to score. That record continued this season with his goal against Aberdeen earlier in the campaign, and fans will be hoping he can repeat that next year.
Forrest is Celtic's most decorated player with 26 trophies, and he'll be looking to make it 27, or maybe even 28, next month. He'd take either a Scottish Premiership or a Scottish Cup, but of course, he'll be quietly hoping for both.
Speaking about his extension, Forrest said: "I’m absolutely delighted. I’ve been here my full career, and I’ve loved every minute of it.
"We’ve been so successful in my time here, and I’m delighted to have signed another year, and I’ll just give my best to the club for however long I’ll be here.
"While I’m still playing, I can hopefully keep contributing and helping the team when I can, and I’m just going to give it everything until I finish. When I do stop, I will look back on so many great memories, but hopefully I can make a few more before I do finish."
Manager Martin O'Neill is also delighted. He said: "I really want James to finish his career here at Celtic, and I just didn’t want him to be going elsewhere, and I think he wanted that as well.
"But the major point about taking anyone on is to know whether they’re worth an extra year, and James has proved this season that he has been worth that.
"He has changed games, and he has done wonderfully well. His contribution in recent weeks when he’s come off the bench has been absolutely terrific, and he has deserved it, and that’s the point. So, take sentimentality right out of it; he’s deserved it.
"He’s been immense for the football club since Neil Lennon brought him in when he was a young kid in the reserves, and he is what I love – I love players who take people on, and he can take people on, even to have that little burst of pace at his age is worth its weight in gold."
Forrest deserved the extension despite the fan debate
Forrest has earned his extension, even if some fans believe he hasn't. People are pointing to his statistics as a reason why he should have been allowed to leave, but anyone who has actually watched the team this season will know that they don't tell the full story.
When he comes on, he can change the game. For someone who isn't getting younger, it could be the opposite, but it's very clear that he still has a lot to give.
There is an argument to be made that he should actually start. With other wingers failing to impress, it might be worth giving him a shot in the split. He won't be able to play the full 90 minutes, but he could give us that boost right from the off should he be named among the starters.
Whatever happens, it'll be great to have Forrest around for another year. It'll likely be the final season of his career, as it wouldn't shock anyone if he made the decision to retire, but either way, we'll make the most of the player while we have him.
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