JAMES FORREST has revealed he almost left Celtic in the January transfer window.
The veteran winger had been on the outside looking in for most of this season under Brendan Rodgers, starting just ONCE in the league during the first six months of the campaign.
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But he’s enjoyed a spectacular turnaround in recent weeks, leading to him being tipped for a recall to the Scotland national team in time for the Euros.
In the last four weeks the 32-year-old has scored twice and laid on two assists for his team mates as Celtic put their foot down in the Premiership and advanced to the Scottish Cup final.
But back at the turn of the year, Forrest was struggling to even make the matchday squad.
He told Sky Sports: “I have always had confidence in myself but January and February not being in the squad was tough.
“But as footballers you go through tough stages and loads of different times throughout your career.
“I’m just glad I managed to keep working hard.
Since March I’ve been back involved with the team, getting some minutes and the last few weeks making an impact have been even better.”
Going into this weekend’s Old Firm derby clash against Rangers, few would have guessed back in January that Forrest could once again be called upon by Rodgers in a potential title-decider.
Forrest explained that he had a few options on the table to leave in the transfer window, including on loan, but there was nothing firm enough to tempt him into a decision.
He said: “In January there were a few things, but nothing concrete.
“I always knew and felt I could contribute here. Once the window shut and I knew I was here I wanted to keep pushing the team.
“A lot of players don’t play here. The dressing room is really good because we have loads of players and no one tosses off training.
“Everyone works hard and that keeps the boys that are starting and pushes them knowing if they don’t have a good game or bad results then there is players to push you to come into the team as well.”
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