TWO years ago, the fate of James Forrest was shrouded in uncertainty.

For a boy who had known little else his entire life, the prospect of a future away from the well-trodden touchlines of Celtic Park the winger had jinked along for the previous six years was becoming a real possibility.

A contract wrangle appeared to be one of the few things to halt Forrest’s momentum as then manager Ronny Deila announced the academy graduate had rejected the offer of a new deal.

Football fans are a fickle lot and even a small minority of his own turned on him at one point as his role in the Norwegian’s team at that point became limited. Little did they know Forrest’s desire to stay in green and white had not wavered, nor could they have foreseen the path about to open up in front of him with the arrival of Brendan Rodgers as Celtic manager that summer.

The fresh start brought about a new ray of hope not to just those supporters but to Forrest himself as a new three-year contract was signed. That moment in August 2016 paved the way for the Scotland internationalist to find his best form as he now races towards Celtic history.

At 26, the Ayrshireman looks poised to cement himself into club folklore. Already he is the third-highest appearance maker for the club in the European Cup/Champions League with 49 appearances. Only Scott Brown (69) and the great Billy McNeill (51) stand ahead of him.

Only that pair along with Kenny Dalglish and Darren Fletcher are ahead of him in the top represented Scots.

In terms of trophies, Forrest has lifted 12 major trophies during his career – six league titles, three League Cups and three Scottish Cups – leaving him 14th in the club’s list of most decorated players. Bobby Lennox is the highest with 25, but you wouldn’t bet against Forrest eventually catching him.

“The contract thing rumbled on and I always wanted to stay at Celtic,” he said. “It was put to the back of my mind and I just tried to play as many Celtic games as I could.

“I think it’s only Broony who has played here for more years than me now and I’m still here. After the [Betfred] Cup final my tally is now 12 medals. I didn’t know at the time but when you are at a big club you want to win trophies and cups and play in the Champions league.

“But winning one just makes you hungry for the next one. You are only ever as good as your next medal here.

“It was hard because I had six months to go on my contract but I’d only ever been at Celtic. I’d never known anything else. I always hoped I’d stay. That’s what I wanted.

“Then that pre-season when I got my contract sorted I was delighted and it showed that’s what I wanted to do. I just want to stay here as long as possible.”

To describe Forrest as a survivor is perhaps not doing his talents justice, but it’s hard to argue when you look at what he’s had to endure over his career so far. Managers have come and gone, as have rivals, without knocking him off his stride.

Even this season his performances have given Rodgers a decision to make with the likes of Jonny Hayes and Patrick Roberts, particularly when you consider showings like the one he turned in against Bayern Munich at Celtic Park.

“Celtic always want to get better and bring in players. Competition for places is good in every position for the manager and the players. It brings everyone on in training and games,” he said. “Celtic will always look to sign players even if they think they have players in that position. We just need to keep working hard.

“It’s happened with so many players in my position since I came through, and international players. You need to believe in your own ability that you can play here. I’ve shown it before but you need to keep doing it and not think what you’ve done before.

“Since the manager came in it’s been my most enjoyable season and this year I’ve kicked on and scored more goals then before. It’s only halfway through the season and we still have big games to come. Everyone has ups and downs in their career but the season before he came in I played the most games I’d ever done.

“But I’ve been working hard and need to keep doing that to get better.

“When Ronny came in my injuries got better and in his second year I was free from injuries mostly and played much better until the final few months of the season. When Brendan came in I worked hard and was able to kick on.”

Forrest is now into his 17th year on the books at Celtic and he shows no signs of slowing down. The longevity of wingers is always precarious but the 26-year-old’s adaptability hints that he will be a fixture at Celtic Park for some time to come. Lennox’s trophy tally may be toppled yet, but does Forrest see himself as being a Celtic player for life?

“In football you never know and Celtic are always looking to better the team. You need to be at it the whole time.

“If not then they will sign new players and you can be easily replaced. I’ve only known Celtic and I’d love to stay here as long as I can. If you get complacent then it’s dangerous.

“I just  want to keep working hard and doing well with Celtic. I want to keep winning trophies with Celtic.

“It’s been great and I just want to keep going and get more success. I remember when I first signed at the age of nine. We were training a couple of nights a week and I can remember my mum and dad taking me up to sign. It was so long ago but I can remember everything.

“We trained at Hamilton Palace Grounds then we moved up to Barrowfield four nights a week. Then at 18 we were up at Lennoxtown.

“It’s the new faces and being in the first team, there’s nothing better. Making your debut and you just want more games and to keep winning. There were a lot of boys up to the age of 19 who did the same as me but you do need that wee break, for you to work hard and for a manager to see something in you.

“Sometimes people made a debut and didn’t make it. Everyone used to say in the age groups that not many players made it here at Celtic. I’m glad that I have, but it’s been hard work.”