Quiet man James Forrest is continuing to defy his personality by making big noises.
And Celtic assistant John Kennedy reckons their silent assassin will keep sending out loud and impressive messages so long as he maintains the motivational levels that have turned him into a Hoops hero.
Forrest has been an integral part of the magnificent success enjoyed by the club over the past two-and-a-half years.
The winger has developed into a big-game hunter as a succession of trophies have been delivered into the cabinet.
Manager Neil Lennon has described Forrest as a Celtic great after eight years of terrific service. In the past three terms though, the player’s stock has risen considerably.
Guided by Brendan Rodgers and Kennedy, Forrest moved to the next level through the silver servings.
With 15 winners medals already, the Scotland star will move into the top 10 of the club’s all-time list if, as expected, Celtic secure their eighth successive title when the league resumes after the split.
But it’s in the post-Ronny Deila era where Forrest has really caught fire.
Having also broken his scoring duck for Scotland this term – with five goals in two games against Albania and Israel to shift his country through the Nations League and into the Euro 2020 play-offs – Forrest’s Hoops form has made him a genuine contender for player of the year accolades.
With 21 goals this season, he’s been virtually impossible to keep out of the spotlight.
Yet when he’s doing his work on a daily basis at Lennoxtown, Kennedy says it’s the polar opposite.
The Celtic No.2 reckons Forrest barely gets noticed. Completing his tasks quietly and without fuss, he stays in the background and saves his attention-grabbing for on the park.
Kennedy said: “James has really come on in the last few seasons. He’s become a real integral part of the team.
“Under Neil he was terrific when he burst on the scene and had a great period.
“Under Ronny Deila not so much. But in Brendan’s time he really came on again.
“He was out of the team, getting some injuries and he probably reflected on that and then really went for it.
“James is a quiet type. He doesn’t really want the limelight. He doesn’t like to put himself out there. He just plays his football. Even around the training ground he is quiet, he does his work. But the most important thing for us is he goes and performs and the fans, without being vocal about it, appreciate what he does.
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“Certainly us in the background and on the training ground appreciate everything he gives to us.
“He’s given us some massive goals but as part of the team he’s really important to us. It comes from James as well to keep pushing himself, keep motivating himself. He has come through our system and knows what it is all about.”
Forrest’s winning goal in the Old Firm game against Rangers nine days ago was another example of his ability to come up with the goods when it’s needed and that has marked him down as a classy operator.
In Lennon’s first spell in charge, it was the kid’s injury-time winner that got the club back into the group stages of the Champions League.
However, it was under the tutelage of Rodgers that the knack took hold.
Forrest hit goals in both Betfred Cup finals against Aberdeen and Motherwell in two seasons as the ex-manager got his hands on the trophy and also scored in the semi-final win over Hearts this term to help them to that silverware for three straight seasons.
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As Celtic approach Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen, Kennedy added: “These personalities and
characters are important, especially in big games, such as the recent Rangers match.
“For the winner, that’s not an easy finish. When the ball is coming across and he’s being closed down from behind, his touch and shot is first class.
“But James has shown that a number of times and he’s a crucial part of our team right now.”
