James Forrest aims to follow surge in Celtic form with Scotland success

James Forrest aims to follow his late-season role in Celtic’s success by playing his way into the Scotland team for the Euro 2024 group games.

Forrest had been in the international wilderness since the last Euros and spent most of this season on the sidelines at Celtic.

He came back into the first team picture in the last six weeks of the season, helping his side to secure the Premiership title and lift the Scottish Cup.

His form saw him earn a surprising call-up to Steve Clarke’s squad for Germany and Forrest says it’s proof that working hard and seizing an opportunity can work.

“In the March international break I was playing a bounce game against St Mirren at Lennoxtown for the ones that don’t go away on international duty,” he said.

“It just shows you in football that if you get a chance then things can change.

“Obviously I’ve played for Scotland before so it’s not anything new but the way it’s happened I’ve not been in a camp for a few years.”

Having made the provisional 28-man squad, Forrest now aims to impress in dark blue and show that he can make a valuable contribution in the upcoming friendlies against Gibraltar and Finland, then in the group matches against Germany, Switzerland and Hungary.

“I think Scotland is all about players that go there with confidence and can feed off each other as well,” the winger said.

“From when I was 18 or 19 right through until now, I think if you’re playing well for Celtic then you’ve got a good chance to be in the Scotland team.

“They’ve done really well qualifying and it’s a tight group there but I think I can add to that and help the boys as well.

“That’s what I’m looking to do.”