Callum McGregor’s Emotional Tribute to James Forrest

Celtic skipper Callum McGregor paid tribute to James Forrest after the winger won his 26th trophy against Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday with a 5-0 win, making Forrest the Hoops’ most decorated player ever, surpassing the legendary Lisbon Lion Bobby Lennox, who won 25 in his Celtic career.

McGregor couldn’t have been happier for Forrest at the final whistle. The Celtic captain broke into the Hoops’ first team in 2014, five years after Forrest made his Celtic debut.

Which in itself is incredible, given Forrest’s longevity, from inexperienced youngster to the most experienced Celtic player, even alongside Callum McGregor.

In a classy tribute after the game, McGregor saluted Forrest and his family in an emotional interview that showed the close friendship between the two and the huge respect he has for Forrest.

He said: (Celtic FC), “For somebody so humble and to have come through the Academy, for the young lads who’re in the Academy now it should be a huge shot in the arm for them to watch that.

“There have been so many special players who have played for this club over the years, and now James sits there on the top, and it couldn’t happen to a better person – the way he dedicates his life to football and Celtic.

“It’s an amazing achievement for him and his family. They’ll be so proud of them and like I said, it’s a big shot in the arm for the players in the Academy.

“It shows you that there’s a platform there and you’ve just got to keep working, but this is for James.”

Arguably, no one knows Forrest better in the current team than McGregor, and he will have learned from Forrest how to be a consistent starter for the Hoops week in, week out.

However, it’s interesting to hear just how humble Forrest is, according to McGregor, something that everyone who has worked alongside him has consistently emphasised.

Even with everything that Forrest has won in his Celtic career, he is still the same humble teenager who made his Celtic debut in 2009, but with all the experience and wisdom to continue to make an impact at 33.

Congratulations to Forrest for achieving the honour of becoming Celtic’s most decorated player, and now aiming to score his first league goal of the season for the 12th consecutive season against Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday, with the chance to add another trophy in the Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen next month.

Having heard from McGregor about the impact Forrest has had, it’s clear that he will have further records in his sights over the next month to add to his already incredible Celtic legacy.