Why Celtic’s James Forrest takes pride in Moussa Dembele’s rise

Winger says Frenchman’s form proves Parkhead can be home to top players

James Forrest models the new Celtic kit.

James Forrest has no regrets about staying put at Parkhead as he prepares for a reunion with former team-mate Moussa Dembele on Saturday in Lyon.

Celtic will head to France this week from their current base at Loughborough University as they pick up the pre-season pace prior to their bid to win a tenth successive Scottish title.

Neil Lennon’s side play Nice on Thursday before a clash with Dembele’s Lyon team two days later. They round off their French mini-tour with a one-off game against Paris St Germain at Parc des Princes next Tuesday.

Moussa Dembele's form at Lyon has attracted interest from some of Europe's top clubs. Picture: Philippe Desmazes/AFP/Getty Images

Forrest is particularly looking forward to next weekend’s clash at Lyon’s Groupama Stadium, which is hosting the four-team tournament involving the hosts, Celtic, Nice and also Rangers. The winger is still close to Dembele, whose continued scoring prowess in Ligue 1 after his slightly sour 2018 exit from Celtic has seen him linked with a move to Manchester United and Chelsea. Forrest regards Dembele’s continued progress with pride rather than any sense of envy. “You ask any of the boys, we’re buzzing for any player who goes on to play for another team and does well,” he said.

“When a player goes down to a Premier League team or, like Moussa, goes abroad we all hope he does well because it looks good for Celtic and for us. It shows that we have a standard of player that can improve top teams in Europe.

“I remember hearing we were going to sign him [from Fulham] and being impressed,” he recalled. “We benefited from the [cross-border] rule because if he had stayed in England he would have cost a lot of money. The club managed to get a deal done and we were excited. We had all seen him playing before and a couple of lads in the Scotland squad had also played with or against him when he was at Fulham.

“We all knew he was highly-rated and it lifts everyone when you find out a player of that quality is signing for you.

“As a winger he was a great forward to play with. He’d always make good runs and give you something to hit but, more than that, he would also win us games on his own. He stepped up in European games and led the line brilliantly. He has continued to do well since moving to Lyon.”

Once regarded as the promising youngster in the side, Forrest is now a relative veteran having turned 29 last week. He signed a new four-year contract last Autumn. He is already the longest serving Celtic player after Scott Brown.

He will reach 400 Celtic appearances next season while also hoping to add to his haul of eight league titles, five Scottish Cups and four League Cups.

“I’m 29 now and one of the oldest players here,” he said. “The likes of Jonny [Hayes] and Craig Gordon have gone so that’s moved me up the list. I’ve played for a long time, but I don’t see myself as an experienced player. I don’t feel 29 put it that way!”

Forrest looks likely to remain at Celtic for his entire career and cement his place as a modern great. Odsonne Edouard, however, could be the next prolific striker to follow in compatriot Dembele’s steps and seal a big money move elsewhere. He struck 28 times last season to succeed Forrest in winning the Scottish Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year award.

“Everyone at the club, especially the players, want him to stay for another few years if possible,” said Forrest. “We’re with him every day, we see the stuff he does in training and we want to keep him with us. Maybe in a few years he’ll decide to go somewhere else but he is a big talent and we want him to hang around.”

Sadly, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Edouard did not have the chance to give a speech of thanks at the football writers’ dinner, a test Forrest found as challenging as anything he has faced on the football pitch.

“I think it would be on a par with mine… maybe even better to be fair!” he said. “He is quiet and really chilled. It was class to see him getting it and it was thoroughly deserved. I think he will be buzzing. He didn’t need to go up there and give a speech.”

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