CELTIC coach John Kennedy has told James Forrest to forget the last two years of disappointing form and show everyone he can still be a star at Parkhead.

The winger's contract runs out in January and when he refused a new deal last season it was thought his time at the club was coming to an end.

However, Forrest has been give one more chance by Brendan Rodgers, most likely his last chance, and scored against Hearts in a man-of-the-match display at Tynecastle on Sunday.

Kennedy has worked with Forrest for a long time and hopes the 25-year-old can once again show the skills which earned him so much praise a few seasons ago.

Kennedy said: "James probably lost belief in himself as he wasn’t playing regularly. He’ll be the first to admit his performance levels were not there.

“It’s important he keeps working. The way the team is set up, with the forward players pressing, then if he doesn’t then he’ll find himself out of the team.

“He has to make sure he’s switched on in every game. Given everything he’s got, if he lasts 60 or 70 minutes in every game, with the squad we have we can bring fresh legs on.

“But he has to make sure he keeps his eye on the ball.

"James is a very talented player and he’s one of our own having come through the academy. He’s had a tough couple of years with injuries and not hitting the performance levels he probably should.

“We know what he is capable of and we are now seeing signs of the old James Forrest.

“It’s good for him and for the team. We’ve brought in Scott Sinclair and have Patrick Roberts, to have James Forrest in the mix gives us a lot of competition as well as plenty of options.

“On his day he’s a very good player. He can cause defenders a lot of problems so it’s important he keeps doing what he’s doing."

Forrest caught the eye of Rodgers during their two-week stay in Slovenia and his style of play does comply with how Celtic are going to be set-out this season.

A move to the English Championship has not materialised and so Kennedy believes the one-time Young Player of the Year should stick in at Celtic and prove more than a few people wrong.

The first-team coach said: "James has had a good pre-season and he's beginning to get that belief in himself and his body he can go game after game.

“He’s not had that for a while so it’s important to keep churning out the performances.

“The manager has shown great belief in him as well and I think he feels that - it’s given him confidence.

“Sometimes it’s the easy option to think things are not going for me so I’ll try to go elsewhere. The grass isn’t always greener.

“This is a huge club and we now have a terrific manager in place with a massive CV. The manager knows what it’s like to be at the very top level.

“He’s bringing all his experience and working with a top boss can only help James.

“Working with Brendan will only be to his advantage so James needs to make sure he listens, works hard and puts in the performances."

Forrest is sure to start tonight against Motherwell in the Bedfred Cup tie at Celtic Park.

One win out of six in terms of the domestic cups over the last three seasons is a poor return and it why Celtic won't be fielding a weakened team against their Ladbrokes Premiership rivals.

Kennedy said: "We will treat the competition with the utmost respect - we’ll treat it like a Champions League game.

“We won’t take our foot off the gas. This is the first trophy that’s available to win and that is our objective.

“It starts against Motherwell.

“We have a few knocks but the team we’ll put out will be the strongest side we have possible to win the game.”