When James Forrest dispatched an arching penalty kick into the net to send Celtic into the Champions League group stages in 2013, he was a man with the world at his feet.

And yet, it is only in recent weeks that there has been a glimpse of that same player.

Injuries, loss of form, disgruntlement and frustration all flat-lined a winger who has been held up as one of the creative fulcrum’s of a Celtic squad by a catalogue of previous managers; Neil Lennon, Ronny Deila and Brendan Rodgers have all pointed to Forrest as the guy to make a difference at Champions League level.

He might realise that again tonight.

Read more: Celtic could make £30m from the Champions League but for Brendan Rodgers it's all about prestigeGlasgow Times: Celtic's James Forrest celebrates making it 3-0. St Johnstone went on to pull two back before Celtic made it 4-2

As Celtic prepare for tonight’s £20m game against Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Forrest is a picture of calm. No nerves, no doubts, just a pure sense of conviction that Celtic will finish the job they started in Glasgow last Wednesday night.

“I would always trust us to score,” said Forrest. “If you look at the way we are playing just now, there is loads of pace in us. We are able to move the ball forward quickly and we are getting our rewards for that.

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“Guys like Scott Sinclair have come in and made an impression right away. Kolo [Toure] has helped to bring some experience but Scott is fast and when we get the ball moving forward you know that Leigh [Griffiths] can always be relied upon to stick away any half chance.

“We can score again in Israel. Obviously there will be a game plan and we will stick to that. But everyone knows we are almost there.

“It would be amazing to get back into the Champions League. Those nights are unlike anything else. They are amazing.Glasgow Times: 12/08/16    .  LENNOXTOWN .  Celtic's James Forrest preview tomorrow's game against Inter Milan in the International Champions Cup.

“I still remember the noise and the feeling when I scored that penalty [against Shakhter Karagandy]. I remember everyone jumping on top of me. Being in the group stages, it means so much to everybody.

“The supporters want it but we as players want it. It is an unbelievable place to play football.”

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Forrest has been given a renewed sense of purpose under Brendan Rodgers, and the signing of a new deal at the club when he had spent months lingering by the exit door has enabled him to concentrate entirely on his football.

And the player has insisted that the big change has come not through what he is doing on the ball but rather what he is doing off it.

“The manager has told me what I should be doing when the team don’t have the ball,” he said. “I know what he wants, how he wants me to press and I feel as fit as I have for a long time.

“There is also a really good feeling around the club. Everyone is buzzing. Then place is excited. I think we can all see through the performances that we have a good shape about us.

“Everyone wants to be part of it.”Glasgow Times:

Flimsy defending was the undoing of Celtic at this stage last season when they were undone at the final step by Malmo.

That same uncertainty in defence remains and there is an argument to say that Celtic will be best served tonight by playing to their strengths and going for an away goal rather than trying to protect the lead that they have got.

That too lends itself to an accusation of naivety and runs the danger of being too exposed at the back, but Forrest believes that however Celtic line up there will not be a question of anxiety.

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“I think we know what we have to do,” he said. “We feel that we belong in the group stages of the Champions League. It is about just going out and playing our game. Hopefully that means we come away with a win – we always look to win a game.”

Meanwhile, a ticket into the group stages will bring a massive cash injection to the club with an estimated £20m expected to be generated from the competition.

The added funds will strengthen Celtic’s hand going into the final week of the transfer window, although the pulling power of being in Europe’s premier competition should not be under-estimated either.

“I think it always gives everyone a boost when you see other players come in,” said Forrest. “You can see the lift that Scott gave us, while Moussa [Demeble] has already scored a few important goals.

“It definitely helps. We all want to see new players. It makes for a lot of competition and keeps everyone on their toes.

“But if we do make it into the group stages of the competition then we will need a good squad because there are so many games.

“It is exciting. Everybody wants to play. The team are playing well. We are confident and we feel as though we are good enough to go up against anyone. Hopefully we get a chance to prove that.

“Our focus just now is in making sure that we get on the plane tonight with a place in the Champions League.”