THE TRUSTY KARAT & STICK

Forrest steadfast in Euro elation aim as Kazakhstan trip looms 12 years on from Glasgow eruption

- BY ANDY NEWPORT

JAMES FORREST was still but a Bhoy when he enjoyed his big Champions League moment on a warm summer's evening.

A dozen years on, it's the lure of another Euro buzz that is keeping the Celtic veteran going in the autumn of his Parkhead career.

It was back in August 2013 when a 22-year-old Forrest rode to Celtic's rescue against Kazakh opposition.

Trailing Shakhter Karagandy 2-0 from the first leg, Neil Lennon's Hoops battled back to level the tie thanks to Kris Commons' screamer and a strike from Georgios Samaras.

But with extra-time looming, Forrest pounced to grab a 90th-minute winner which propelled Celtic into the group stage of UEFA's biggest tournament - as well as launching Lenny on a wild stampede down the touchline.

Even now, Forrest still finds it difficult to put into words the jubilant feelings that were sent coursing through his young veins that night.

But the desire to sample them all over again has never left the now 34-year-old club doyen.

"It was massive," he recalled. "I think the fans that night were really good because we were 2-0 down and we came back here.

"I remember we scored in the first half and the fans erupted, they were really good for the full 90 minutes.