How James Forrest consoled 'gutted' brother Alan after Celtic title triumph

There is nothing quite like brotherly love. But in the Forrest family, on the final day of last season's Scottish Premiership, loyalties were split. James, Celtic's all-time most decorated player, came on with half an hour remaining of the title decider against Hearts. Five minutes later, he was joined on the pitch by his brother, Alan, who was seeking to make history for the men in maroon. In the Celtic Park stands, the entire Forrest family watched on as James and his teammates won the title courtesy of two thrilling late goals. Alan was naturally gut-wrenched. "He hadn't been playing much up until that game," James said of his brother. "Obviously all my family were at the game, but then we both came on with like half an hour to go. "So I think - talking to my family and that after - they were buzzing for me. But I think they were obviously just wanting to make sure that my brother was all right as well because obviously it would have been a tough moment for him. "You see all the scenes at Hearts with all their fans up in Edinburgh, it was a big day for them as well. So obviously it would have been gutting for him. My family were there for him as well. "But as you say, it is a split one. You could go on and win the league, you could go on and lose the league on the last day as well. So it must have been really tough for them." James and Alan had played against each other previously, but no clash was as pivotal as this one. "I think it was just that occasion – it was the last game and then because I think maybe he would have been a bit surprised to have been coming on as well because he hadn't played much as well," James continued. "There was a lot at stake for everybody, so there was no time for wee jokes or that! "I didn't actually manage to see him that day, but I saw him the next morning. Obviously, he was gutted, and he was just saying that their lads and staff were gutted. "But I think he told me that once they went back to Edinburgh, their fans gave them a great reception as well. "I think that's good because the season that they'd done, they pushed us right to the end and made it good for Scottish football as well. "I think everybody was really interested in that as well. A lot can be said for what they'd done, a lot of positives for them. "So obviously they were gutted after the game, I think they stuck together as a group and that's what happens in football. "There's highs and lows and it just happens so quickly and they move on to the next one." Although Celtic ended last season on the highest of highs, attention has promptly shifted to the new campaign and to where they must improve. Martin O'Neill has been handed the permanent managerial reins and knows his squad needs strengthening. At 35, Forrest was primarily used as a deputy winger last season. Still, he relishes the competition provided by new signings. "I remember [Brendan] Rodgers saying the first time he came in, especially like me in my position, they would always be signing players," Forrest explained. "But I think it pushes the lads that are here onto a new level and that as well. I think it's important for the club, the staff and the manager - he'll be wanting new signings in and I actually do think it does benefit the players that are here as well. "Maybe if players just think like, 'Oh I've got that position sorted'... if somebody comes in and pushes them to try to get it, it takes you to a new level. "I think I've experienced that with myself and a lot of the lads over the years. So I think it's important, it's a fresh challenge and I think it's good for the team." While much of the focus has been on incomings, Celtic could yet lose a number of starters this summer. Arne Engels has interest from the English Premier League and elsewhere in Europe, while Benjamin Nygren won't be short of suitors after a 21-goal season. Reo Hatate could also be on the move and Daizen Maeda is entering the final year of his contract. Perhaps the most significant departure could be that of captain Callum McGregor . Consistently linked with a move to the Middle East, he recently changed agency. How important is it that Celtic keep hold of their skipper this summer? "Oh massive, I think if you ask anybody in the dressing room, he's a leader," Forrest said. "Obviously he's the captain but everybody really does respect him and he does lead. "It's just the way he trains, the way he plays and I think that's really important and he's respected by the club high up as well. "He does his job unbelievably, so it's really important to keep a guy like him here. "He just wants the best for the club and what he's done for the club has been unbelievable and he's still hungry for more, he keeps wanting more. "He's started off really good in pre-season, so he's looking really good and it'd be good to keep him. So aye, just let him keep doing what he's doing." Forrest is entering his 18th consecutive season with Celtic's first team. He has scored in each of the preceding 17, a remarkable run which stretches back to May 2010, when he netted on his senior debut against Motherwell. "I don't know how many more years I'm going to play, so I'm just going to try and enjoy it," Forrest admitted. "I've really enjoyed it the last few years. But it's not just about enjoying it. It's a big club, it's pressure games and you enjoy that as well. "You look at the last week of the season, you're playing a part in the league decider, you're starting in the [Scottish] Cup final as well when I was 34. "So, I still want to push myself. I've given everything to the club and just continue to giving everything to the club for as long as I've got and I just keep going, hopefully win more trophies or whatever's to come." Read more: Forrest registered 41 Celtic appearances last season, his most since the curtailed 2019/20 campaign. He signed a new one-year contract in April, keeping him at the club until the end of the forthcoming season. But what will his role look like this term? "I think it's up to the manager. He'll sign players and will see what players are like in pre-season," Forrest said. "I know every year that I've been here for Celtic, I've never come back for pre-season and just taken it for granted because one bad game at Celtic and you can have people questioning you. "You always need to be at it at a club like Celtic, it's no different for me here. I'll just keep giving 100 per cent. If I can help the team this season, if it's from the start or from the bench, then I'm here and ready to do it."