James Forrest has revealed that he will make an emotional visit to Bobby Lennox later this week after catching up the legendary Lisbon Lion to become the most decorated player in Celtic's history.
The 33-year-old winger made a second half replacement appearance in the 5-0 victory on his side at Dundee United yesterday, which in 14 years won a 13th title for the Parkhead-Outfit and earned him the 26th senior medal from his time in the club.
A visibly emotional Forrest spent time in Tannadice who came to terms with his performance yesterday and revealed his desire to visit Lennox after he had met him during his rise through the ranks and fulfill the humility he always showed, despite the fact that he has a European cup winner.
“I think he doesn't stay that great now, but I will intend to see him this week,” Forrest revealed. 'I clearly met him a few times at games and such.
'You could say that I passed him, but this club is not about one player or two players. They are so many players. It is the fans, the staff you don't see.
“I met his family and they are all so modest and I think you'll be in handy for players who come through.”
Forrest was the last player of the field after the party celebrations after the game in Tannadice and found it difficult to keep it together while walking past the visiting fans who sang his name in the main standard on the way to the tunnel.
Asked to be celebrated for his performance, Forrest said: 'I loved it. When I walked off the field, I started to become a bit emotional and try to check it.
“It was an incredible feeling. I don't know (why I became emotional). In recent years it was a successful era for Celtic. Don't know. You may not get a chance to celebrate because you are immediately on your way to the next one.
'It just touched me a bit and that is not really like me. That is incredible to hear that I am the most decorated player and hopefully more will come. '
Captain Callum McGregor admits that he shared a special moment in the dressing room with his former youth team-companion and encouraged the many players who celebrated their * first * competition title to ensure that they get the best of it.
“You never know when the next one could be,” he said. 'I guarantee you, in 10 or 15 years', if you don't have it in your life, you will miss it, so you have to enjoy it as much as possible. You devote a large part of your life to a football player.
'The requirements for you every day are so high, so if you get the chance to celebrate. I want the players to feel that togetherness. These are the best days of your life as a player.
'Five years old I wanted to be a football player and I lived my dream. It is the best job in the world. One day someone will tap me on the shoulder and I will not have it in my life.
'Because we have been so successful, it can sometimes feel as a press and repeat. Maybe players don't enjoy it as much as they should. But we are always on them, James Forrest, Kasper Schmeichel, the older boys, that they have to enjoy this because it is the best feeling.
“I don't fear it in my life, but that is what motivates me. That hunger is probably in my DNA. My mother and father are working class people who tell me all the time that you have to work for everything you get.
'I've been here for so many years and as you grow up, it becomes a second nature – that you have to win and how to behave. You take that responsibility seriously. That's why you have devoted your life to the sport.
'James and I were chatting in the dressing room. To be alone as the most decorated player in the history of the club is so special.
'It will probably not sink for him, but it is an incredible achievement if you think of the names that have played for this club.
“For him to be at the top of the tree, is great proof of him and how good a football player he is, but also how good he is and how humble he is. His family are also great people.
'If I think of what we have achieved together, they are 50 trophies. We had a fast moment together in the dressing room, but then the focus will shift to the game next week and then the cup final. '
Forrest also greeted the impact that McGregor, now with 24 own medals, has made on Celtic and has tipped the 31-year-old to break his record during the coming seasons.
“I have known him since the age of 17, 17s,” he said. “He has so many years to play and he will undoubtedly destroy that record. It is good that young boys who have come through the academy may be able to see this and strive for it. '
McGregor, on trademark fashion,, however, has detailed the importance of next Sunday's visit to Ibrox in detail for the last old sturdy game of the campaign. “It's enormously important,” he said. 'We know what happened in the last few games against Rangers and we want to try to put that right if we can.
'We want to win that game and the players already think so.
“I know the club's DNA and know what it is about – and when you lose football games to Rangers, it hurts everyone. Since then we have all been in a bad mood.”