James Forrest not thinking about Scotland recall
James Forrest has not thought about a possible Scotland recall but a sudden renewal of his status as a key player for Celtic might give Steve Clarke a welcome option for his Euro 2024 squad.
The 32-year-old followed up his excellent goalscoring cameo against Aberdeen with a brilliant double in Sunday's 2-1 win at Dundee to consolidate Celtic's place at the top of the cinch Premiership.
It was only Forrest's fourth start of the season but he took his goal tally to six and added further fuel to Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers' recent comments that he might have underused the wide player this season.
Forrest won his 38th and most recent Scotland cap in the European Championship finals in 2021. The wide player's lack of game time for Celtic, coupled with Clarke's tactics, consigned him to the international wilderness.
But, despite Clarke dispensing with wingers, there could be two potential routes to the squad for Forrest.
A serious knee injury for Lewis Ferguson and doubts over the fitness of Stuart Armstrong and Scott McTominay could leave Clarke short of attacking midfield players.
Major fitness concerns over right-backs Nathan Patterson and Aaron Hickey may also create a vacancy for the wing-back position that Forrest has very occasionally played.
When asked whether the Euros were on his mind, Forrest said: "Honestly, I have not thought about it.
"I wasn't in the (Celtic) squad around January and February and I have been buzzing being back in about it. I have managed to get on the scoresheet a few times and come on and helped the team. I just want to keep taking it game by game and help out here."
When asked if he had a summer holiday booked, he said: "I've not. Obviously in football, you never book your holidays early anyway, it's always last minute."
There is no question Forrest would answer the call were it to come.
"If you ask any Scottish player, they would want to be involved," he said. "I went to the last Euros and it was a great experience, right from the first day of camp to the end. It was really good to be part of.
"But I'm going to just concentrate on the games here."
Forrest had not started a game for five months before his match-winning display at Dens Park, and did not even feature off the bench from Christmas until March 10.
"It was really difficult," he said. "I have never really had it before but you believe in yourself and, maybe because I am older, I know football can change quickly through suspension and injuries and, especially at Celtic, if you don't win a game then it can maybe make the manager change his mind.
"I knew if I kept training well, I was always thinking I would get another chance.
"I feel since I came back into the squad five or six weeks ago that I have contributed when I have come on. Obviously last weekend was really good personally and getting to the final as well.
"I felt really fit from pre-season right up until November. We obviously have a lot of wingers in the squad and you need to fight for your place at a big club like Celtic. It has never been any different."
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