James Forrest: Celtic’s man for all seasons becomes club’s most decorated player

When did this all begin?

A few minutes from the end of a league game against Motherwell on a Saturday in May, 2010 – 14 years and 361 days ago – Forrest got on the end of a flick-on from Marc-Antoine Fortune and planted a left-foot shot into John Ruddy’s net.

For the 18-year-old, it was a debut to remember. Nine minutes, one goal.

Looking back at the footage, what stands out is Forrest’s youth – he could be mistaken for a 12-year-old.

There’s also the names of some of his bygone team-mates – Edson Braafheid, Zheng Zhi, Morten Rasmussen, Josh Thompson. Relics from another age

There’s something else about that scene that reminds you of how long Forrest has been on the road, though. The attendance at Celtic Park that day was 24,000.

The club, as much as the player, has come a long way. There was no trophy in that season, 2009-10, Rangers having won their second title in a row not long before.

There wasn’t even a cup final. Hearts put them out of the League Cup and Ross County the Scottish Cup. Celtic played 10 games in Europe and won two.

Tony Mowbray lost his job along the way. Lennon was appointed manager in a bid to bring back the thunder.

“Look at his career and it’s been so successful, but there’s been tremendous lows as well,” adds Lennon. “Missing out on big games through injury or not being selected. He’s had his lows, but he’s just kept himself on an even keel. Nothing fazes him.

“He’s not one to kick the doors in when he’s not in the team. Some players don’t accept that, but he seems to be like, ‘okay, this is my role at the minute, but when I’m called upon, I’ll be ready’. And he’s always ready.

“And I still really enjoy watching him play. He’s still one of the most exciting players to watch when he’s in full flow. As the game has evolved, he’s evolved with it. He’s a sort of passing winger now, but still with a goal threat.

“I don’t put him on a pedestal with Bobby Lennox or any of the Lisbon Lions, but he’s definitely a man who has done great things in his own right.”

At 33, and soon-to-be 34, there’s still no sign of him being sated by all the success, which is probably the very characteristic that has put him in the history books.

On title-winning day he edged one past a great Lion of 1967. Next month, when the Scottish Cup final swings around, he’ll be short odds to move two clear.

Still hungry, still winning. For the evergreen Forrest, age seems utterly irrelevant.