Celtic's Forrest caps his big-time breakthrough with European trip

THAT James Forrest will tomorrow head out with Scotland U-19s for the elite round of their European Championships in Croatia can be seen as the perfect way to cap a breakthrough season for the Celtic wide player.

Yet, it could also be presented as something of a cautionary tale. Four years ago, the Scotland U-19s that thrilled the nation with a campaign in Poland that ended with them beaten finalists included six Celtic players.

"I think it was practically the whole midfield," remembers Forrest, with Charlie Grant, Simon Ferry, Ryan Conroy, Michael McGlinchey those central performers in a squad that also included Scott Cuthbert and Scott Fox. The whole of this crew share something else– none of them enjoyed the subsequent Celtic careers their international exploits then suggested. Forrest, though, may be different. The 18-year-old's goal in a ten-minute debut against Motherwell allowed him to make an impact at club level before this week's internationals that will be higher profile than his previous caps. Moreover, his greatest champion may be the Celtic manager in waiting.

Neil Lennon, currently waiting to hear if he will be retained permanently in post, said Forrest's potential "excites the life out of me" after the youngster's debut strike. As coach of the development side, the Irishman witnessed that potential first-hand throughout last season. No wonder Forrest adds his voice to the list of Celtic players who hope Lennon is given the nod.

"Everyone at the club wants Lennon to get it," he says. "When he'd the reserve team he used to say he didn't want the first-team players coming down to play – he wanted the 19s to come up. So everyone would be buzzing if he got it.

"He's been our reserve manager all season. He brought six or seven young boys into a room and said he hoped to get us time on the park.

"I'd been injured for six weeks, came back, played with the 19s and then got to play for the first-team. When I came back from injury Lennon told me he wanted to give me a chance but first he wanted the 19s to win the league and cup which thankfully we did."

Forrest would argue his run with the development side also points to the Irishman having a bit about him. With no reserve league, Celtic stage matches against English Premier League opponents, with impressive results. "We only lost one game all season," Forest says. "I know Lennon was gutted. He didn't look upon them as friendlies. He said that before every game. We played the best teams in England and we did well. A lot of teams had their first-team players."

First-team players are what Forrest hopes to see a lot more of in future.

SCOTLAND SCHEDULE

European Under-19 Championship elite round qualifiers in Croatia:

Wed 19 May: Montenegro (Gorica, 2.30pm)

Fri 21 May: Belgium (Vrbovec, 5pm)

Mon 24 May: Croatia (Zapresic, 5pm)