Martin O’Neill did not hold back after Celtic’s dramatic 6-2 extra time win over St Mirren, using his post match interview to send a clear and pointed message to the club’s hierarchy.
The Hoops had to dig deep at Hampden. A fast start saw Daizen Maeda hand them the lead inside a minute, before Anthony Ralston added a second just before the break. But St Mirren refused to fold, with Mikael Mandron striking twice to drag the game level and force extra time.
It was in that moment Celtic needed someone to step up, and Forrest answered the call.
Introduced just after the hour mark, the veteran winger changed the tempo of the match. His direct running unsettled St Mirren, and it was his quality delivery that set up Kelechi Iheanacho to restore Celtic’s lead.
From there, the game swung heavily in their favour, with further goals from Luke McCowan, Iheanacho again and Benjamin Nygren sealing a dominant finish.
But while the result secured a place in the Scottish Cup final, O’Neill’s focus quickly shifted to what comes next and specifically, whether Forrest will still be part of it.
In a blunt message that has since gone viral, the Celtic boss made his stance clear and effectively challenged those above him to act.
“I would like to keep James for one more year at least and so that he could see his career through at the football club,” said O’Neill.
“I would be asking the board and I think James would stay for another year.
“He’s 34, with just a little burst he’s given us something.
“He has changed a number of games for us. He changed the game at Aberdeen. Nygren scores the goal, but he came on and changed that.
“We scored from him getting the cross at Rangers as well. So he’s definitely played a part.”
The timing of those comments felt significant. Forrest is out of contract this summer, and while his role has shifted in recent seasons, his impact off the bench remains undeniable.
O’Neill’s words were not just praise. They were a direct call for the club to reward experience and loyalty, rather than move on too quickly.
There was even a lighter moment when the discussion turned to whether Forrest could force his way back into the Scotland picture, but even that carried an edge.
“I used to hate this when other managers were telling me how to run the football club or run international football.
“So I do not want to have a headline – but why not? Put him in.”
Celtic will now face Dunfermline in the final, managed by O’Neill’s former captain Neil Lennon, after the Pars came through their own semi final on penalties.
“I’ve just done an interview with him. He was doing some punditry work – he gets everywhere.
“But he has done remarkably well. Did brilliantly for me at Leicester and at Celtic and he’s done brilliantly at Dunfermline – what an effort yesterday. So I look forward to it.”
For now, the focus is on the final. But O’Neill has made one thing very clear. What happens with Forrest next will say a lot about the direction Celtic choose to take.