James Forrest shares contract truth and responds to Martin O'Neill claim with 'only Celtic' declaration

Forrest, 34, is the club’s most decorated player of all time with 26 major trophies won during a near two-decade spell at Celtic, but the curtain could be about to come down on his trophy-laden stint at Parkhead with his contract expiring at the end of the campaign.

The veteran rolled back the years with an eye-catching wing display at Hampden Park after being introduced on the hour mark, with his teasing cross helping Kelechi Iheanacho head Celtic back into the lead early in extra-time, as they blew St Mirren away with four goals in six minutes. In the aftermath of the game, manager Martin O’Neill urged the club to extend Forrest’s deal.

“It was that cross that set us off, wasn’t it?” joked Forrest. “It was good that I came on and could help the team, and made an impact. It’s what you want to do at the business end of the season, being at Hampden in a semi-final. It’s switching focus back to the league now until we come back here for the final.

“I was hoping we’d come out in the second-half and get the first goal, but we’ve had tough games against St Mirren, especially the last three or four times we’ve played them. So fair play to them. they got back into the game and they made us work hard for it. The boys stuck together and we got through it in the end. We know we’ve got good players in the team that we all get chances, it’s just about taking them. Hopefully we can take a lot of confidence going into the main games this season.”

Now into his 17th season at Celtic, the experienced campaigner has been forced to show patience in waiting for his opportunity during a difficult season at the club. However, with five mammoth league games and a Scottish cup final to look forward to against old boss Neil Lennon and Dunfermline Athletic, Forrest is hoping he can prove his worth in the final weeks of the campaign by adding another two winners' medals to his honours list.

“The players, any new signings, new boys coming through at Celtic, you quickly realise how big every game you play is, and especially a semi-final or final,” said Forrest. “You’re expected to win, and then it’s onto the next one. The boys dug in, we made a lot of subs. The team that started the game wasn’t the one that finished it, and that has happened a lot this season. We’re going to need everyone.

“When you’re at Celtic, you want to be a part of the big games. Even though I’m getting older, I still love it, I still enjoy every minute. How many more of these I’ll get, I don’t know. But every time I get asked to play, I’ll give my best. I remember [Brendan] Rodgers was telling me, when you sign a new deal you’re always working hard to get the next one. Obviously, I’m going be 35 this summer, but I still feel as though I can contribute and help the team.

“Everyone in the building - players, fans, staff - want to do it for him [O’Neill] as well. Whatever he decides to do in the summer, we can send him away on a high. Until he came here, I had never met him. But I love him, he’s been really good for me. I came through with Lenny [Neil Lennon]. He gave me my debut. He reminds me of Lennon the way he manages, he likes direct wingers. He’s really helped me, and I’ve loved working under him. Me and the boys really want to come together and win it for him.

“The main thing now is helping the team win the league and the cup final. Hopefully I can be part of that, and stay another year. I spoke to the club. I’ve been here a long time and I don’t want to go anywhere else, so it’s not a big discussion. I want to stay here.