JAMES Forrest is celebrating his 29th birthday today (July 7), and everyone at Celtic wishes James a very happy birthday!

Since Neil Lennon gave him his first-team debut back in May 2010, Forrest has gone to become an integral part of the club’s success over the past 10 years, and along with Scott Brown, has won every one of the nine-in-a-row titles. Now he and his team-mates have their sights set on a historic 10th consecutive title, and the squad are in the midst of their pre-season preparations ahead of the opening league match of the 2020/21 campaign – a home game against Hamilton Accies on Sunday, August 2.

Forrest is now just five appearances away from 400 games for Celtic, while he is currently on 88 career goals. Twelve more goals in the season ahead would see him become only the 30th player in Celtic’s history to hit at least a century of goals for the club.

His haul of honours also makes for impressive reading – nine league titles, five Scottish Cups and five League Cups.

Speaking to the Celtic View, James Forrest said: “It’s been a crazy journey for me. There have been so many memories, cups, league titles, games in the Champions League – there have been so many highs. When you win stuff, once you get a taste of it, you want more.

“What the club has done in the last 10 years is amazing and it’s great to be a part of it. Celtic is massive on its Academy side. They’re always bringing good players through, and it’s good that players get their chance in the first-team as well. It’s great to have players who have been through the ranks and know what the club is all about.

“Every year with Celtic there is always pressure right from the start of the season. We’re always expected to be challenging for the title and the cups. For us, this season coming won’t be any different!”

Ever modest, Forrest always prefers to do his talking on the park, although he was fulsome in his praise of fellow nine-in-a-row stalwart and club captain, Scott Brown.

“When you’ve got Broony there, he’s non-stop every day in training,” said Forrest. “He’s constant and I think that rubs off on the Scottish guys and the foreign guys, and that’s great to have. Anyone you speak to – whether they’re here or have left or just arrived – will tell you how important Broony is here as a captain.

“When new guys come in, they maybe don’t realise how important he is until they’re in there in the changing room and playing with him. Right from the first trophy until now, I still think the same. He’s kept his standards up so high and that’s full credit to him. That’s helped the club massively.”

The 100-page Celtic View nine-in-a-row special issue is on sale now, available in stores or online

Birthday Bhoy James already looking forward to the season ahead