FORREST 'OPEN' TO OLYMPIC INVOLVEMENT

Celtic and Scotland winger James Forrest has reiterated his interest in playing for Team GB.

Last Updated: 20/01/12 at 16:16 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  Football. Click here to bet.

James Forrest: 'Open' to Team GB idea

James Forrest: 'Open' to Team GB idea

James Forrest has reiterated his interest in playing for Team GB in this summer's London 2012 Olympics - but is aware that Celtic's probable Champions League qualifiers could scupper his hopes.

The Scotland winger, along with Hoops team-mates Scott Brown and Adam Matthews, were asked by GB coach Stuart Pearce if they would be open to selection for his final squad.

However, Neil Lennon's side are likely to be involved in European qualifiers in July when the Olympic soccer competition is underway, which Forrest acknowledged when asked about the issue ahead of Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League game against St Mirren.

"It has not been decided to be fair, it will be another couple of months," said Forrest, who returns from a virus for the trip to Paisley.

"But I am still open to the idea. It is obviously up to the club as well, it depends on whether they have fixtures in July.

"The club have said that if I want to play in it then they said I can but if we have fixture then obviously they won't let us go.

"There is still a long way to go until then."

Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan warned this week of a potential backlash by the Tartan Army against any Scotland players taking part in the Olympics for Team GB but Forrest side-stepped that threat by saying: "It is obviously a hard decision to make.

"We have the second-half of the season to go with Celtic so we will wait and see how it turns out."

The laid-back winger's form this season has been noted further afield than the borders of the United Kingdom.

FIFA this week named the 20-year-old on their list of 13 youngsters destined to make a big impression in 2012.

Forrest, though, welcomed the low-key reaction at Celtic Park to his prestigious accolade.

"I heard about it at the start of the week but nobody here has really said anything about it," he said.

"I am quite glad about that. I just want to continue playing for Celtic.

"It is obviously good to hear that people are recognising that you are doing well.

"But I'm just a young boy and I have to take everything in my stride.

"Maybe it will get Scotland a little bit of recognition.

"There are a lot of good players in Scotland and maybe people don't see that.

"You look at the under-19s team here, they come up and train with the first team a lot and there are a lot of good players coming through.

"But you can't sit back because you are on your list, you still need to work hard and play well and that's what I want to do.

"I want to do well and that will help the team."

Forrest aims to help Celtic extend their winning run in the SPL to 12 games in their lunchtime kick-off in Paisley and go five points clear of Rangers who play Aberdeen at Ibrox later in the day.

"I had a virus the last two weeks but I am back to normal," said Forrest.

"I have trained all week and feeling better.

"The players have done well the last two games and it is a big squad and it will be hard but hopefully I can (get back into the side).

"It is really good run that we are on and we want to build on that.

"The earlier kick-off is important if we get the three points and it maybe puts pressure onto them.

"But it's down to us to get the three points.

"We just concentrate on our own game, that's the most important thing."

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