Celtic chiefs urged to hand star new contract after showing what he's all about in Scottish Cup clash

Martin O’Neill is hopeful the Celtic board decide to offer one star another year at Parkhead after his inspired cameo helped send the club to the 2026 Scottish Cup final.

With the semi-final at 2-2 after regulation time against St Mirren, James Forrest donned the captain’s armband, and crossed a pinpoint ball into Kelechi Iheanacho. His goal sent boss O’Neill and co on their way to a 6-2 rout, having been pegged back from a couple goals up. Forrest is a one-club man and one of the club’s most decorated players but has been more of an impact sub in recent seasons.

Now 34 and out of contract in the summer ahead of turning 35, there are questions over whether his Celtic spell will end, in just over a month’s time. O’Neill would be hopeful of another 12 months as he revealed Neil Lennon’s words of wisdom over the winger. The former Hoops boss and player under O’Neill will face the man he still calls ‘gaffer’ as Dunfermline Athletic manager after the Pars defeated Falkirk to set up a repeat of the 2004 Scottish Cup final.

Martin O’Neill on Celtic 6-2 St Mirren

O’Neill said: “We got off to a great start. I was hoping then that we would take the initiative; I thought we had a lot of possession. I mentioned to you the other day that sometimes maybe we should try to look forward a wee bit more quickly.

“But overall we were in good control of the game, then their first corner, Viljami Sinisalo has to make a really great save and I thought that gave St Mirren a big, big boost. Because the game wasn't out of sight. Having said this, we scored just at the half-time whistle. I just never felt really comfortable, even at 2-0.

“What I was really pleased about was the extra time, which was naturally when the players were really disappointed. Having to raise themselves again for the extra time. James Forrest, one versus one, takes the player on and Iheanacho scores the goal. A flood of confidence then, at that stage, and we do really, really well.

Could James Forrest remain at Celtic beyond this sesason?

“I would like to keep James for one more year at least, so that he can see his career through at the football club. I would be asking the board, I'm sure, to do it. I think James would stay for another year. He's 34, isn't he? 34.

“Just the little bursts, the one versus ones. He has changed a number of games for us. He changed the game at Aberdeen. I know Nygren scores the goal, but he came on and changed that. We scored from him getting the cross at Rangers as well.

“He's definitely played a part. Neil Lennon was telling me, which I've known for two or three months, that he really is a proper lad.”

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