James Forrest can appreciate more than most the pressures on homegrown players making their way in the Celtic first-team.

At 26, Forrest has become one of the veterans of the Hoops side but it has not always been an easy journey for the Scotland internationalist who hasn’t always had his critics to seek.

He silenced them in Trondheim last week with the goal that eased Celtic into the concluding play-off round of the UEFA Champions League play-off, but his own experiences mean he is a willing soundboard for any young player wishing to seek some advice.

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This week Celtic brought through Anthony Ralston and Calvin Miller from the youth academy and Forrest believes that the transition into the senior team is the easiest it has been due to the manner in which Brendan Rodgers has tried to unify the way every age group plays football.

“I am one of the more experienced ones now,” he said. “Beyond Scott Brown, I think I am the second longest serving at the club. I still feel young, but there are young guys out there at 18 and 19, so it makes me feel a bit old. It’s different from when I came through to now.

“From the youth team to the first-team players, everyone is closer. It’s easier for the young ones to come through, which is good.

“It makes them calm down and settle when they step up.

“I think it was just different. It’s good both ways because you come up and there are the names. It’s also good that these boys are up training with us a lot and the manager brings them to all the games. It’s good for them to feel part of the squad.

“It was only really me coming through the youth at that time to the first team. But the boys were great with me. Obviously there was Broony and Maloney there. There were a lot of big characters and good players plus the manager really helped me as well.”

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Forrest has shown his own versatility this season when he was shoe-horned into a lone striking role following injuries to Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths. It paid off with the goal against Rosneborg that put Celtic through and the player is happy to be deployed wherever requested.

“It just showed the strength in depth in the squad,” he said. “As the manager said with the way we play, when he brings in players, we can still play.

“It showed the other night and the boys done extremely well.

“Obviously, it’s not simple. The boys are working hard and in training.

“When we face each other and do our formations, us players know when they go into a game what is expected of them.

“The way we play is not rigid, if you like.

“We have players who can play many different positions and we can change it from within, so it is definitely a plus for us and the manager.”

If there was one player at Celtic who may not relish a possible return of Patrick Roberts to the club, the suspicion is that it would be Forrest.

With Scott Sinclair assured of one spot on the flank, the competition for the place on the opposite side would go to either Forrest or Roberts.

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However, Forrest has insisted that he would be delighted to see the 20-year-old back at the club.

“At a big club like Celtic they are always looking for players for every position and to better the squad,” he said.

“He’s been linked with a move back here ever since he went back over two months ago.

“All the boys have been aware of that but at the moment he’s still at City so we will just wait and see.”

Celtic are back in action tomorrow night when they head to Firhill, with Forrest keen to lock horns again with Alan Archibald’s side.

“Friday night games a bit different but whenever we play away, the Celtic fans are always there and create a good atmosphere,” said the winger.

“They drew with us 1-1 at Celtic Park towards the end of last season and they did well in getting into the top six last season. It will be a tough game but we beat them a few times in the previous campaign, we are looking forward to it and hopefully we can get the win.”

Ideally, it will be an opportunity for Forrest to add to his scoring tally.

“I scored eight goals and got some assists last season and I just want to better them,” he said.

“The manager just tells me to work hard every day and if I do that, the rest will come naturally. Last season was a great one for me and everyone. I just want to keep working hard and see where it takes me.”