Celtic’s season has been building towards a familiar kind of pressure point, where experience starts to matter just as much as form or tactics.
With injuries biting at different stages of the campaign and the squad rotation stretched across domestic and cup commitments, certain players have found themselves quietly becoming more important than the headlines suggest.
Among them, one long serving figure has continued to crop up at key moments. Not always from the start, not always in the spotlight, but consistently involved when games start to tilt and decisions become decisive.
That pattern was once again clear in Celtic’s Scottish Cup semi final win over St Mirren, a match that swung wildly before being settled in extra time.
It was there, late in the game, that his influence was most obvious. Introduced from the bench, he immediately gave Celtic a different edge in wide areas, helping to stretch St Mirren at a time when the game was still hanging in the balance. His involvement directly contributed to the moment that effectively opened the floodgates in extra time.
That performance added fresh weight to a growing conversation around his future, especially with his contract situation approaching its final stages.
The feeling inside the club has been that his value is not measured purely in starts, but in moments where his experience and decision making still carry real impact.
According to The Celtic Way, O’Neill said regarding the contract situation of Forrest: “I would like to keep James for one more year at least, so that he can see his career through at the football club.
“I would be asking the board, I’m sure, to do it. I think James would stay for another year. He’s 34, isn’t he? 34.
“Just the little bursts, the one versus ones. He has changed a number of games for us. He changed the game at Aberdeen. I know Nygren scores the goal, but he came on and changed that. We scored from him getting the cross at Rangers as well. He’s definitely played a part.
“Neil Lennon was telling me, which I’ve known for two or three months, that he really is a proper lad.”
Behind the scenes, discussions had already been moving in that direction, with Celtic assessing how best to balance squad evolution with retaining players who still influence big games.
The St Mirren result only reinforced that internal thinking, with senior figures recognising the importance of keeping that level of experience in the dressing room.
That is why today’s development carries extra significance. Celtic have now moved to secure a new deal, ensuring he remains part of the squad for another season. It is a decision that reflects both his continued usefulness on the pitch and his standing within the group as one of the club’s most reliable professionals.
Speaking after signing the extension, Forrest made it clear where his heart has always been.
“I’m absolutely delighted. I’ve been here my full career and I’ve loved every minute of it.
“We’ve been so successful in my time here and I’m delighted to have signed another year, and I’ll just give my best to the club for however long I’ll be here.
“While I’m still playing, I can hopefully keep contributing and helping the team when I can, and I’m just going to give it everything until I finish.”
For Martin O’Neill, the move aligns with what he has seen throughout the campaign. Even in a reduced role, the player has repeatedly shown he can affect matches when called upon, something that becomes even more valuable in tight cup ties and high pressure league moments.
The agreement also fits into a wider picture at Celtic, where continuity and experience are being carefully balanced with longer term squad planning. Rather than a sentimental call, this is viewed internally as a practical one, keeping a proven contributor around for another season where depth will once again be tested.
As Celtic push towards the business end of the campaign, the message is clear. Some players are judged not just on how often they start, but on how often they change things. And in that respect, this decision feels like a straightforward one that simply confirms what has been evident for a while.