JAMES Forrest played his 97th European tie for Celtic in Tuesday night’s 6-0 victory over KR Reykjavik in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.

The winger, along with his team-mates, was delighted to return to competitive action after a break of nine days, and he’s looking forward to a flurry of games on the horizon – Dundee United at Tannadice on Sunday followed by another European tie next Wednesday against Ferencvaros.

And the 29-year-old, who was promoting Celtic’s new adidas fresh mint away kit, which on sale now, is looking forward to the busy schedule of games on the horizon.

Speaking at Lennoxtown today, Forrest said: “It was strange playing a European tie with no fans in the stadium. In previous years, even at this stage of qualifiers, the fans are always there, it’s a sell-out and the crowd gets right behind you.

“It was different, but the boys did really well. We created chances for 90 minutes, we scored goals and it was good to be back. It was a good test.

“We just need to adapt to the one-off games. In cup ties in Scotland, we’re familiar with that. Anything can happen and we know that we need to be at our best and hit the ground running straight from the start.

“We’re at home, which gives us an advantage, and we need to make sure that we turn up and put in a performance.

“On Tuesday night, you could hear all of the players on the pitch and the coaches from the dugouts. When we were in France, having those few thousand fans there made a big difference, so I think that that slight atmosphere, home and away, will be beneficial for everyone.”

Neil Lennon’s side travel through to Tannadice this Saturday to take on newly-promoted Dundee United. It will be Celtic’s third league match of the season, following a 5-1 Flag Day win over Hamilton Accies and a 1-1- draw against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, and the Scottish champions will be aiming to get back to winning ways at the weekend.

“We just want to keep winning games and putting in good performances now, and hopefully the fans will be looking forward to getting back in,” he said. “If it’s only a small number at the start, then that’s what it’ll be, and hopefully we can then keep getting more and more people back in.

“After Tuesday night, the games are coming thick and fast and we just need to make sure that everyone is ready, and we’ve got a big squad to handle it.

“We’ve not played at Tannadice for a few years, but they have started this season strong and it’s a game that we’re looking forward to.”

James Forrest: We're looking forward to busy schedule of games