James Forrest has described Celtic’s dramatic 2025/26 campaign as the most chaotic season of his career after helping the club secure another domestic double.
The veteran winger lifted the 28th domestic trophy of his Celtic career following Saturday’s Scottish Cup final victory over Dunfermline Athletic, further extending his record as the club’s most decorated player.
Having spent nearly two decades in the first team after progressing through the academy ranks, Forrest admitted no previous campaign compared to the turbulence Celtic experienced over the past year.
“The 10-in-a-row, the COVID season was different for different reasons, but this one’s been the most crazy and mental I’ve been involved in,” Forrest said via The Celtic Way.
“I think it just makes it sweeter at the end when you do come back, when everybody’s writing you off to win the league, and obviously to get a double.”
Celtic rounded off their season by defeating Dunfermline 3-1 in the Scottish Cup final, just one week after clinching the Premiership title with another dramatic 3-1 win over Hearts.
For Forrest, the achievement ranks above anything else he has experienced at Celtic.
“I think it’s the best,” said the 34-year-old. “Last week – I’d never experienced any of that, I think it was definitely the best league I’ve won, the best trophy I’ve won.
“Right from day one of pre-season, it just felt like it wasn’t going to be our way, and I think everyone’s dug in.
“I’m getting older now as well. It’s all worth it, putting in the hard graft, working hard through the bad times to get moments like this.”
A major factor behind Celtic’s turnaround has been the influence of Martin O’Neill, who stepped in during October amid a difficult spell for the club.
Discussions over whether the 74-year-old will remain permanently are expected to take place with principal shareholder Dermot Desmond in the coming days.
“When he came in in October, we were obviously going through a tough time, and I think he seen that,” Forrest added.
“He came in and he was just so good with every player, even myself as an older player, the younger boys, the foreign boys, I think everyone understood him right away. He had an aura.
“It’s just working. I think everybody can see the games that we’ve won, tough games, and obviously coming back and winning the league, you win a cup in that as well. So, I think he’s been unbelievable, and it’s a credit to him.”
Although O’Neill has yet to outline his plans to the squad, Forrest admitted the dressing room would welcome his return next season.
“What he’s done, especially in the last couple of months, he’s come in, he’s given everybody confidence, he’s made everybody feel good about themselves. I think everyone’s delighted for him,” Forrest continued.
“You see all the fans signing his name, and whatever he decides to do, I think everyone will be happy.
“He hasn’t told us yet. I think if it’s up to him, all the players in the team will be buzzing to see him back.”
Forrest also praised the spirit within the squad during some of the season’s most difficult periods, insisting the players remained united despite mounting scrutiny and changing managers.
“On the outside, when you’re at Celtic, there’s always going to be pressure on you, and you get judged every game,” Forrest explained.
“I think that’s just how it is at a big club, but just for the season that it’s been, for different managers at different times, the character of the changing room and the boys, there’s not once that the boys have turned against each other.
“I think that’s been the main thing, that we’ve really stuck together.”
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