Emergence of Forrest is one of Rodgers’ biggest achievements at Celtic

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The Celtic winger has been mesmerising at times this season and has been by far the club’s standout performance since the season kicked off in July.

James Forrest bagged all three of Celtic’s goals against Partick Thistle at the weekend, as the Scottish Champions held out for a vital 3-2 win in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup to keep their treble hopes alive.

The game marked Forrest’s first ever senior hat-trick, as he continues to produce the goods in what has been by far his finest season in professional football.

Celtic have experienced a revolution under Brendan Rodgers, firing themselves to an emphatic unbeaten domestic treble last season, and Forrest has been the revolution personified.

There have been endless positives to take from the Northern Irishman’s reign at Celtic Park so far, however, the emergence of Forrest as one the club’s consistent start performers has been among the greatest.

Players such as James Forrest and Kieran Tierney will always hold a special place in Celtic fans’ hearts, having come through the club’s academy as life-long fans and going on to enjoy good careers in the senior team.

It is always sad to see an academy product leave, such as Liam Henderson this season, and Forrest himself came very close to the exit door at Celtic Park.

However, since being convinced to stay by Rodgers, the 26-year-old winger has repaid the faith shown in him by his boss and has proved to be one of the club’s most valuable assets, which is a big compliment to the Scotland international considering the pedigree of player currently boasted by the Hoops.

On top of his electric pace, Forrest has begun adding goals to his weaponry, which had completely transformed his often one dimensional game in the past.

As it stands, Scott Sinclair currently tops the scoring leader board with 17, with Forrest only one strike behind on 16.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the Partick game, Forrest’s captain Scott Brown heaped the praise on his colleague.

“I’ve always said he’s been a fantastic player throughout his career,” the Celtic skipper said, “but now he’s just going to a different level.”

If Forrest can keep this up, there is no doubt that interest will come flooding in from down south for his services. However, all the Celtic attacker can do is continue to influence his team’s results for the better, which he has undoubtedly done over the last two campaigns.