Brendan Rodgers turned Luis Suarez into Barcelona hero, can he transform James Forrest into a Celtic great?

That was the price tag that was once slapped on one of the most touted talents ever to come through a Scottish academy. Ronny Deila, his then manager, proclaimed two years ago that the direct and energetic winger, if he could overcome his injury problems, could go for an eight-figure sum of Celtic ever felt inclined to reluctantly part with their most-prized protégé.

“He could play now but we want him as fit as possible, get him ready to be consistent in his play – and hopefully he will stay on the pitch for longer than three or four games,” said the Norwegian.

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“We want him playing at full potential, so we are taking it slow. ‘I can understand why they said he is a £10m player. He has things that very few others have in a one-v-one, skill and speed.

“What he needs is consistency. That is everything we’re working on, to try to keep him as long as possible on the pitch.”

Instead, a year and a half on the news that Forrest was not prepared to sign a new deal was met with large bouts of indifference, with the Scotland internationalist only featuring once in green and white since his proposed deal was rejected back in February.

Often lamented for a lack of end product and at times questionable decision making, frustration surrounding Forrest surely is founded in his ability than any deficiency that may creep into his game.

Undoubtedly the Ayrshire-born forward has talent. His old-fashioned style of sticking to a flank and burning full-backs with ease due to his lightning pace deservedly earned him plaudits of thousands.

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The fact this form has been replicated intermittently has led some to believe that a parting of the ways of Forrest and the club that has nurtured him for the last six years may be the best for both parties to allow the man now just a matter of days away from his 25th birthday the blessing of a fresh start.

The subject of Forrest’s situation has been on the agenda this week once more as the impasse reaches a critical point. Despite his current contract not up until December, this Friday signifies the moment where Forrest will be free to speak to other clubs.

However, there is one a lot closer to home that he may still want to talk to. Celtic.

At the weekend new manager Brendan Rodgers spoke at length about the winger currently under his stewardship at Lennoxtown and who will join the rest of the squad in flying out to Slovenia this afternoon on a pre-season tour.

The new Celtic boss spoke highly of the disenchanted wide man – just like his predecessor – but Hoops fans should be encouraged that in Rodgers they have a man who not only could be the right person to convince Forrest to stay, but to finally get a player who is far from a young kid firing on all cylinders.

The bounce created by the Northern Irishman’s arrival in Glasgow is palpable. The excitement among the supporters is almost tangible, the eagerness of players to impress evident.

This exuberance does not come from tales of myth but is borne out of respect for a coach who has worked with players at the highest level – and made them better.

His biggest triumphs ultimately came at Liverpool in a campaign that saw a club that has long been living in the shadows of its reputation come within one Steven Gerrard slip of winning the Barclays Premier League.

At the forefront of their attack were two players who have since gone on to bigger and better things on different paths, but who both recognise the contribution made by the man now watching over Forrest.

In Raheem Sterling, an effervescent but raw forward had his skills honed and his game vastly improved by Rodgers prior to his move to Manchester City. “At Liverpool, Brendan helped me learn the position better,” he said only as recently as last month.

However, the main example of his work is undoubtedly the man who, love him or hate him, currently leads a forward line with Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Luis Suarez scored 82 goals in 133 games with the red of Liverpool across his chest, and recognises that he probably wouldn’t be the Barcelona striker he is to this day without the input of one man.

“Such a big part of my education is down to him and his management,” said the Uruguayan.

“Of course he works to make the team stronger but he really works on a one-to-one level with the players.

“He will sit down with each player at the club, and work on where you can improve, where you can exploit opposition, he leaves nothing to chance.

"He is a very intelligent man. If the players at his next club listen to his words, they will become better players for sure."

A direct message for a Mr Forrest, perhaps.

Of course, to say the Scotland forward will be transformed into a player who could grace the Nou Camp is perhaps not dealing in reality. But the point stands that the perspective for Forrest has surely now changed.

Regardless of the deal that was placed on a table back in February, what is on offer to the young man is now entirely different.