Soccer

James Forrest: Celtic have a chance to create history

Celtic's James Forrest (left) Ranger's Lee Wallace battle for the ball during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow on Saturday September 10, 2016
Celtic's James Forrest (left) Ranger's Lee Wallace battle for the ball during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow on Saturday September 10, 2016 Celtic's James Forrest (left) Ranger's Lee Wallace battle for the ball during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow on Saturday September 10, 2016

James Forrest has played down the significance of Celtic potentially clinching the Ladbrokes Premiership title against Old Firm rivals Rangers on Sunday.

Defeat to Hibernian last week meant the Hoops can clinch their seventh successive league title if they avoid defeat against their Glasgow rivals at Celtic Park this weekend.

Brendan Rodgers' side are currently 10 points clear with four games to play and will be expected to secure the title on Sunday after humbling Rangers 4-0 at Hampden just two weeks ago, but Forrest, who has been nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award, is not bothered who they beat to secure the league.

"We have got a chance to create history and we have winning the league and a cup final to look forward to," winger Forrest said.

"Since the manager came in that's what we have done, just focused on ourselves and that's what we will continue to do."

He added: "Every trophy you win for Celtic, the next one is always the best one because it is 'now' and the feelgood moment at the time.

"We are just going to work hard in the days going up to the game and hopefully we can do it on Sunday in front of our own fans.

"Confidence for us is sky-high, we know what is stake.

"Every Old Firm game is going to be a hard game so we have to have that respect and go in making sure we are ready to go from the start."

Sixteen goals in all competitions have made this a breakthrough season for Forrest, although he has scored just once in the Ladbrokes Premiership since Christmas.

His future had appeared uncertain before Rodgers' arrival and he has praised the impact of the former Liverpool boss on his own game.

He said: "I've grown in confidence from last season and kicked on this year. On a personal note I think it's been my best season and I just want to keep contributing to the team and keep going and hopefully score a few more and keep creating for the team.

"He (Rodgers) has been different class. He gives you so much confidence and he lets the forward players go and express themselves, as long as they're still working hard.

"A lot of the boys have kicked on in the last couple of years and it's only good for the team."