Talking A Good Game

James Forrest prefers to let his actions speak louder than words, but he’s enjoyed reflecting on his impressive career for his forthcoming biography

- Tony Connelly

FEW players have achieved anything like the incredible successes James Forrest has experienced on his journey from Academy Bhoy to first-team legend. The ever-humble winger prefers to do his talking on the pitch, but now fans will have the chance to read his take on his career in his biography, Homegrown Hero, which will be released on December 3.

Forrest’s career path is a symbol of how Celtic strives to operate as a football club. Having joined the club as a nine-year-old, the prolific winger has grown and developed his craft while progressing through the ranks at the Youth Academy.

Now, almost 20 years after first joining Celtic, Forrest is fast approaching 400 first-team appearances and is also edging towards becoming a Century Bhoy, having racked up 79 goals. Along the way, he has lifted no fewer than 17 pieces of domestic silverware in addition to individual Player of the Year Awards.

Much has been written about Forrest, particularly in the last few years, during which time he has continued to improve as a player while upping his goals and assists stats. But, aside from the occasional press conference or post-match interview, Forrest has been a man of few words.

The 28-year-old isn’t one for social media so, despite the interest around him as a result of his incredible displays on the pitch, he remains something of an enigmatic figure, particularly in the context of the modern football landscape where players give fans more personal insights into their life than ever before.

Talking about himself isn’t something Forrest was naturally inclined towards so when Celtic asked him if he would be willing to tell his story in a book for the fans he was initially hesitant. Thankfully he warmed to the idea and began working with the Celtic View’s Joe Donnelly to put the book together.