Why James Forrest rejected Scott Brown’s Ayr Utd contract offer

The Celtic Star

·4 December 2024

Why James Forrest rejected Scott Brown’s Ayr Utd contract offer

Celtic legend James Forrest has revealed that Scott Brown earlier this year tried to get him to sign for Ayr United where he’d have to compete for a play in the Championship side’s starting eleven…

James Forrest runs with the ball during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Ross County FC at Celtic Park on November 30, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“Aye, he actually phoned me, I think he asked me last January, February if I’d go down! What was my answer? Just no yet! I don’t even think he said I would get a game, he said I could compete for a place!”

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Jamesy starred in the 5-0 win over Ross County on Saturday but annoyingly failed to hit the back of the net for his first goal of the season. He has scored in every other season he has played at Celtic and it’s something the support desperately wants to see Jamesy achieve. We were absolutely willing the ball to go into the net on Saturday for him.

“Has it been on my mind? Maybe just recently. A few folk have mentioned it but it’s one where obviously as an attacking player you want to be scoring and assisting,” Jamesy said, as reported by Daily Record. “But I’ve been really enjoying this season, the minutes I’ve got, the games I’ve been involved in. It’s not in my head as a stat, it’s more to help the team as a fellow player.

James Forrest and Moussa Dembele with the trophyl after Celtic’s League Cup Final win over Motherwell at Hampden on 26 November 2017. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“Obviously it’s a good start to the season overall, but I need to get my finger out and make sure I score this season! It’s class when you’re put in a bracket with those names with different stats, but hopefully we can have another conversation after I’ve done it.”

Maybe tonight is the night for Jamesy as Celtic take on Aberdeen at Pittodrie. “Definitely, it would be a good one. I’m in December now and as I said, I’ve just probably started thinking about it in the last couple of games that I haven’t scored.

“But I’m feeling good and as I said, if you were missing chances then that would be more worrying. So, hopefully it will come against Aberdeen, that would be good.”

James netted in the Scottish Cup Final win (on penalties) over Aberdeen at Hampden and he also scored in a League Cup Final win against the Dons back in 2016. “Aye, I think I’ve scored against Aberdeen a couple of times at Hampden.

“It’s a big game so hopefully if I get a chance to make an impact then I can try and score. I think I’d come on in a few games before the semi-final, but I think that was the real turning point.

“It was a semi-final at Hampden and then the run-in to go in the league after that as well. So, for me personally and I think for the team as well, I think after that we kind of kicked on from there and it was a really good end to the season.”

Jamesy’s form was so good towards the end of last season and his role as an impact sub this season has combined to earn him another year at the club with the contract extension signed a week or so ago.

James Forrest at Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Aberdeen. Photo AJ for The Celtic Star

This from Matthew Marr on James Forrest’s new contract…

James Forrest’s new contract gives him a chance to make different types of history. He can become Celtic’s most decorated player – and also feasibly second on the club’s list of players who have scored in successive seasons.

Currently, 22 players have scored for Celtic in at least 10 consecutive seasons. Some have scored in more seasons than this, but not all in succession. For example, Billy McNeill did it in 13 different seasons but (fittingly!) only managed 9-in-a-row.

James Forrest and Paddy Roberts at Rugby Park on 18 November 2016, Kilmarnock 0 Celtic 1. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

James Forrest currently sits joint fourth in Celtic’s all-time list of scorers in successive seasons. He has done this in 15 seasons (2009-10 to 2023-24). This makes him level with Jimmy Quinn and Patsy Gallacher, who are also on 15.

Forrest is yet to score this season. If he does get a goal, he would move onto 16 consecutive seasons. This would put him in joint third place, level with club legends Jimmy McGrory (1922-23 to 1927-38) and Paul McStay (1980-81 to 1990-95).

James Forrest is congratulated by teammate Virgil van Dijk after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League Group match between Celtic and Ajax at Celtic Park Stadium on October 22, 2013 (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Perhaps he should save this first strike for the League Cup Final. Not only would that help the Celts win the cup, it would also make him the man who has scored in most League Cup Finals for Celtic.

Forrest’s new deal will keep him at Celtic until 2026. A goal this season and next season would mean he had scored in 17 successive seasons. This would make him joint second with Bobby Lennox (1963-64 to 1979-80).

It’s feasible that Forrest might make second but he’s unlikely to get to the top. For that, he would need to sign another deal until 2027. If he did that (scoring each season), it would put him level with Jimmy McMenemy on 18 seasons (1902-03 – 1919-20).

Ross County v Celtic – James Forrest celebrates scoring on Saturday November 4, 2023. Photo Steve Welsh

In the current squad, no-one else is near Forrest’s potential record. The closest is Callum McGregor, who is on 11 seasons (along with Bertie Peacock and Bobby Murdoch).

To read the full list, visit The Celtic Wiki:

Celtic scorers – consecutive seasons *

Matthew Marr

Follow Matthew on Twitter @hailhailhistory

Click on cover to order a hardback copy

Matthew’s debut Celtic book titled ‘The Bould Bhoys – Glory to their name’ was published by Celtic Star Books last year and is available to order HERE. This brilliant book is also available on Amazon Kindle for just £3.49 and includes all photo sections that appear in the hardback edition.

Matthew Marr with his debut Celtic book, Glory to their name, which tells the story of Celtic’s first ever title win. Photo The Celtic Star