On a night when the focus was very much on one James, the £60million Columbian superstar Rodriguez on-loan to Bayern Munich from Real Madrid, it was his diminutive namesake from Prestwick that stole the thunder at a booming Celtic Park.

A scintillating performance from the home side’s James, the rather less exotic-sounding Forrest, saw the winger acclaimed by all who were present on Tuesday night to witness his performance, and no doubt many more throughout the continent who saw it on television.

But as good as Forrest’s showing was, and it was very good, it is perhaps surprisingly rare for such universal praise to be showered on the 26-year-old.

Read more: Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben praises Brendan Rodgers' influence on Celtic's style​

His manager, Brendan Rodgers, not only saluted his display against the Bavarian giants in the aftermath of the game, but went as far as to say he was one of the best wide players he has ever worked with.

When you consider that Rodgers’ past alumni in those areas includes the likes of Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana, that’s quite the accolade.

But still, Forrest splits opinion among the Celtic support. His contribution on Tuesday night was beyond question, but his critics would say a failure to produce that form consistently has long since been his major flaw.

Or is Forrest, like many enigmatic wingers before him, just under-appreciated? For his teammate Stuart Armstrong, there may be more than a grain of truth to that theory.

“Sometimes that’s true,” said Armstrong “He’s been at the club for a long time.

Read more: Kieran Tierney is a "special talent" who loves Celtic as much as Tommy Burns or Peter Grant

“He’s a quality player and we get to see that every day in training. He showed against Bayern what a top-quality player he is when he takes it to the next level.

“Sometimes injuries give opportunities to other players and Jamesy has certainly taken that in his stride. I’m really pleased for him.

“He was absolutely terrific. His link-up play, his balls into the box, his through ball to Callum (McGregor) for the goal was outstanding.

“Just with his overall play, he was a threat. He was a fantastic asset for us during the game.

“It’s been tough for him, with a lot of competition for places. He’s been out of the side at times, but he showed in front of a full Celtic Park and against top quality opposition that he’s one of our best.”

Armstrong was very nearly the beneficiary of an early moment of quality from the right-foot of Forrest, and the fact he was unable to take advantage of the chance the winger laid on a plate for him in the opening minutes was one of a few sources of regret for Celtic on the night.

Read more: Brendan Rodgers: Celtic do want to win the Europa League - but first we have to make sure we are in it to win it

“It was a beautiful ball from Jamesy and I’ve watched it for what felt like an age,” he said. “I felt the defender was going to get a little nick on it, which put me off slightly. But I was very disappointed not to take that chance so early in the game.

“I came close with another one in the second half as well. It’s always an aim of mine to get on the scoresheet every single game and I had a very good chance on Tuesday.

“It was just one of those things. It was a great counter attack and I’ve run a long way to get there. Usually, you’d just like to stroke it into the back of the net, but it just didn’t happen for me.”

It wasn’t only regret that Celtic will carry with them from the performance against the German champions though, with plenty of positive aspects of their play to provide sufficient succour that European football into the new year is a more than tangible possibility.

“We were all very disappointed at the end, which speaks volumes for the performance,” said Armstrong. “Compared to the away game against Bayern, it was night and day.

Read more: Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben praises Brendan Rodgers' influence on Celtic's style​

“Everyone who was at Celtic Park on Tuesday night could see we were more aggressive, taking more chances to go forward and creating more chances.

“Overall, we kept better possession. We had a bit more confidence to play our own game and not respect Bayern too much.

“There were certainly a lot of positives for us, going forward and controlling the game against one of the very best teams in Europe.

“Our aspiration is to be in the Europa League after Christmas and hopefully we can do that.”

While disappointed to come out of the Bayern test with nothing to show for their efforts other than encouragement, Celtic have still come out of the week well ahead, having secured Kieran Tierney on a new six-year deal.

And Armstrong, who has grown to love the club in his time there, is over the moon that a player who is Celtic to the core will be around for the foreseeable future.

“All the boys are really pleased he has signed on for that length of time and the fans are obviously delighted,” he said.

Read more: Brendan Rodgers: Celtic do want to win the Europa League - but first we have to make sure we are in it to win it

“He is a quality player. His goal and assist at Aberdeen a couple of weeks ago showed that. Against Bayern as well, he just played his usual game and was terrific.

“It’s rare you find a player at a club who has supported them since he was a boy. He grew up watching Celtic play and now he’s one of the mainstays of the team. It really is a dream come true for him and we are lucky to have him.

“It’s bizarre seeing the pictures of a young KT in the tracksuit as a ball boy here, then in the youth team. It’s inspiring to see a boy like that make it into the Champions League.

“There’s no denying he absolutely loves Celtic and playing for Celtic. But we all do. As soon as you come to Celtic, you are hit with a realisation that it’s an enormous club and you grow to love it.”