Great Britain Football Team: James Forrest still open to Team GB but Celtic come first

CELTIC and Scotland winger James Forrest has reiterated his willingness to play for Team GB at the Olympics this summer but says he will put club before country if Neil Lennon asks him to miss out on the London 2012 tournament.

Forrest is one of three Celtic players – the others are captain Scott Brown and Welsh full-back Adam Matthews – on the long list of those being considered for the 18-man Olympic football squad by coach Stuart Pearce.

The controversy over the potential involvement of Scottish players in the GB team intensified this week with SFA chief executive Stewart Regan warning that any who accept a place in Pearce’s squad could face a “backlash” from the Tartan Army. Pearce responded by stating he was “saddened” by the SFA’s stance and making it clear he intended to pursue his interest in Scottish players on his list.

Forrest’s enthusiasm for Team GB has not been affected by Regan’s comments but the highly-regarded 20-year-old says he will be influenced by Celtic’s commitments and manager Lennon’s guidance at the start of next season when Champions League qualifying matches will clash with the Olympic tournament in July and August.

“I’m still open to it, but it’s a wee while away and I have to concentrate on Celtic and the second half of this season,” said Forrest. “Obviously, I need to think about it. For any player to be linked with the Team GB squad and the players that are in it is good.

“Celtic have said just now that I can play in the Olympics. But if Celtic have games at the same time and want to keep me here, then I’m happy to do that. It will be up to the club. Everyone at the club has said they will be happy for me to play unless there are fixtures [they need me for]. Celtic would be my priority. They would come before the Olympics.”

Forrest remains one of the most likely Scottish candidates for Pearce’s final squad of 15 under-23s and three over-age players which will be named in April. Already capped four times for Scotland, the winger’s stock rose further this week with his inclusion in Fifa’s list of young players to watch in 2012.

As gratified as he is by such recognition, Forrest was quick to observe that he cannot let it distract him from maintaining the progress he has shown as a key part of Lennon’s Celtic first team this season.

“Keeping your feet on the ground is the only way,” said Forrest. “There is no point in sitting back and thinking about being on the Fifa list, because I haven’t done anything in the game yet. That is for me to work on and try to win trophies with Celtic.

“I just need to keep playing the way I have been playing and keep doing what I have been doing for the team. It’s nice to hear about the Fifa list, but you get on with it and I take it in my stride. Players are being recognised in Scotland and that’s a good thing, too.”

Forrest is poised to return to the Celtic side against St Mirren in Paisley today, having missed his club’s last two matches because of illness. “I had a virus for a couple of weeks, but I’ve trained all this week and feel back to normal,” he added. “It’s been said that I have had a rest, but it wasn’t really because I wasn’t well. But, of course, it was a break from football and I’m eager to get back playing.”