ANTHONY STOKES has urged the Celtic fans to give James Forrest the chance to prove he can recapture the form that that won him the PFA and Football Writers' Young Player of the Year in 2012.

Forrest's involvement in first-team duties over the last two seasons has been restricted due to a series of injury problems and the winger has found it difficult to maintain both fitness and form.

The Scotland internationalist has felt the irritation of the Celtic support at times, but Stokes has urged them to be patient as he believes that given the opportunity, Forrest will prove that he can cut it at the very highest level.

"James is a top class player," he said.

"He gets a hard time here sometimes off the crowd, but you ask anyone in our dressing room and they will all have good things to say about him. He is one of the best young players I have seen.

"He has been hampered throughout the last few years because of injuries but when he is fit and at it he is exciting to watch and to play with.

"He has that kind of pace that he could play in any league in the world - and I mean that.

"When you have that pace married with the technical ability that he has then he just needs to concentrate on staying fit. He is a guy who could go as high as he likes in the game.

"I know myself how hard it is to come into the team for game and then drop back out for a couple of weeks and then come back. You need a run of games to get to a certain kind of level.

"Between now and the end of the season that is what he will be looking for.

"If he can end this season on a high note it will give him the chance to pick up in pre-season."

Meanwhile, as Celtic return from international duty this week to focus on the final run-in of the season, Stokes has his eyes on making a little bit of history with the club.

The Parkhead side are back in action against St Mirren on Friday night with thoughts of a Treble forming with each passing week.

With the League Cup already secured and a place in the Scottish Cup semi-final awaiting, Stokes is looking to kick on and put further daylight between the Hoops and Aberdeen this weekend.

"We want to go on and win the league, it is as simple as that," said the striker.

"I have never done won a Treble in my time here.

"When you look at it now, you would have to think that this is probably the best chance we will ever have of achieving that. I would love to do it.

"It is a real statement, I think. We have to be careful not to get too carried away with ourselves, but at the same time I do think we feel quietly confident."

And the Irish forward believes that he too can find his best form as he looks to keep his place in Ronny Deila's side.

Stokes has been in and out of favour with the Norwegian manager and so far this term has managed just 8 goals; last season he bagged 21 for the Parkhead club. Part of that is down to the fact can be attributed to playing on the flank rather than as an out-and-out striker, but Stokes would like to add a few more to his tally.

"I am a striker and that is just your mentality," he said. "You want every opportunity you can to get goals.

"I am probably working harder than I ever have. Training is very intense, I have managed to drop a few pounds and I do feel as though I am probably as fit as I have ever been in my career.

"Playing out wide, I am never going to score the same amount of goals but I feel like I am making a contribution.

"I'd still like a few more between now and the end of the season and hopefully they'll come."