Scott Brown Says James Forrest Remains Celtic's Best Winger

james forrest is still being discussed as a possible Celtic starter on the final day, and Scott Brown has added fuel to that debate by backing the 34-year-old as one of the club’s best wingers. Brown said Forrest’s value goes well beyond the touchline role he may or may not have against Hearts.

Brown On Forrest's Influence

Brown described Forrest as quiet, but said he still works his way around the younger players and carries a strong presence inside the squad. “James Forrest is very quiet,” Brown said. “He will be going around the younger players as well. He is a brilliant people person.”

He also pointed to the way Forrest handles people and the dressing room. “He understands people, and he understands what they want. He wants the best for the football club, which is why you give James another year because of what he brings and how well he does,” Brown said.

Celtic's Final-Day Selection

The selection discussion matters because Celtic are taking on Hearts on the final day, and Forrest is being weighed as a starter or a player who could come off the bench. Brown did not soften his view of the winger’s level. “See if he comes off the bench or starts, he is still one of the best wingers at the club. He’s so good, so direct, an old-fashioned winger,” he said.

Brown added one more line that captures Forrest’s style: “His first thought is, ‘How can I go and beat this guy?’” He also called him “a bag of excitement.” That attacking mindset is part of why Forrest remains in the conversation even after so many seasons at Celtic.

Forrest's Long Celtic Run

Forrest started as a young kid at Celtic in 2002 and made his senior debut in 2009. He is now 34 and has become Celtic’s most decorated player, a record that matches the longevity Brown was talking about when he argued for one more year.

That background gives the Hearts debate a sharper edge. Sebastian Tounekti started against Motherwell, while Hyunjun Yang played on both flanks in that match, leaving Celtic with multiple options as the season ends and Forrest’s role is assessed against the standard Brown set for him.

What Brown made clear is that Forrest is not being judged only on age or minutes. He is being valued for what he adds around younger players, for the direct way he plays, and for a record that has already made him a defining figure at Celtic.