Martin O’Neill has cut straight through the noise around James Forrest’s new Celtic deal, and his verdict leaves little for debate.
Martin O’Neill has cut straight through the noise around James Forrest’s new Celtic deal, and his verdict leaves little room for debate.
Let’s be honest the second Celtic announced Forrest was getting another year, half of social media started their annual “jobs for the boys” meltdown. You know the script: “34, past it, sentiment signing, squad place wasted”.
Aye, right.
That nonsense does not hold up when the current evidence is laid out properly. Because James Forrest’s role this season has once again been crucial. Don’t believe it? Rewind to Hampden.
Scottish Cup semi-final. Celtic 2-2 St Mirren. Extra time. Squeaky bum time.
On comes Forrest, 61st minute. Within 35 minutes he’s ripped the game from St Mirren’s hands. Whipped cross, Iheanacho bullet header, 3-2. Game changed. Floodgates opened. 6-2. Final booked.
That is where O’Neill’s comments land with real weight.
Because while Twitter was arguing about “legacy deals”, the gaffer was watching the most decorated player in Celtic history win them the damn semi.
Celtic contract call is based on performance, not sentiment
When James Forrest signed a new one-year deal, the immediate reaction in some quarters will have leaned towards sentiment. “One for the dressing room.” “Reward for service.”
Martin O’Neill has dismissed that outright, and his reasoning is grounded in what Forrest has actually delivered on the pitch. No fairytales. No free passes. Just cold, hard impact.
The Celtic gaffer said it plain:
“I really want James to finish his career here at Celtic, and I just didn’t want him to be going elsewhere, and I think he wanted that as well. But the major point about taking anyone on is to know whether they’re worth an extra year and James has proved this season that he has been worth that.”
Read that again. “Worth an extra year.” Not “deserves it”. Not “he’s a good lad”. Worth it.
That’s O’Neill telling the board, the fans, and every phone-in merchant: This is business. And business is good.
The numbers don’t lie even when the legs aren’t 22 anymore
26 major honours. Let it sink in. Twenty. Six. No Celtic player in history has more. But O’Neill isn’t handing out contracts for the trophy cabinet.
Forrest this season: game-changing cameos vs Aberdeen, Rangers, and now St Mirren. He’s still got that “little bit of zip” O’Neill loves — the ability to go 1v1, beat a man, deliver. Ask the St Mirren full-back who’s still dizzy.
Yes, he’s 34. Yes, he’s had hamstring niggles. O’Neill even admitted he worries about starting him too much. But here’s the cheat code: You don’t need Forrest for 90 every week. You need him for the 30 minutes that decide seasons.
That’s what the board are paying for. That’s what O’Neill demanded.
O’Neill’s ultimatum to the suits
This wasn’t a polite suggestion. This was MON in full dictator mode. He told the press he’d be “asking the board” to keep Forrest. Translation from Gaffer-speak: “Get the deal done or explain to 60,000 fans why you let our most decorated player walk.”
The board listened. Because when Martin O’Neill plants that flag, you’d be mad to die on the other hill.
So where does this leave the debate?
Dead. Buried. Under six goals at Hampden.
Forrest isn’t here for vibes. He’s here because when Celtic needed a moment, he provided it. Again. And if O’Neill the man who built dynasties says he’s still worth it, who are you to argue?
One more year for the King. One more year of defenders getting torched. One more year of “jobs for the boys” shouts getting muted by match-winning assists.
The verdict’s in. O’Neill spoke. The noise stopped. Get the pen signed.
Do you agree with MON or are the board too sentimental? Drop your take below 👇 And if you think Forrest is finished, name a better big-game sub at Celtic right now… we’ll wait.
