He might not look it but when it comes to Champions League qualifiers James Forrest is most certainly a veteran.
The winger has been through all of the emotions of eight campaigns trying to get through to the group stage under the light and cameras as the big names get to visit Celtic Park.
Back in 2013 Forrest had one of his greatest ever moments when he steered an Anthony Stokes cut-back into the Karagandy net to complete a great escape from a 2-0 first leg defeat.
The outcome of the qualifiers has a knock on effect on domestic matters but before he gets around to thinking about St Johnstone and Motherwell the 28-year-old will have his full focus on negotiating his way through four rounds of qualifiers that are certain to throw up drama and challenges in equal measure.
“The experience of dealing with conditions in Bosnia can only help us as we hopefully move through the rounds,” the winger told The Sun.
“In European games, you learn to expect the unexpected. The conditions were really bad to begin with and you don’t think it will be like that in July.
“You expect it to be really hot, the way it was in Austria and Switzerland when we went on tour. The boys had all been checking the forecasts and it had been in the 30s. Then you arrive at the stadium and the weather was worse than it was in Glasgow.
“The rain was heavy and the pitch was cutting up, but we dealt with it very well. To get three goals away from home is great, no matter who you are playing. The aim was to leave with a positive result but to get that advantage on a night like that was a real boost.”
Forrest is likely to be rested from tomorrow’s friendly at home to Rennes but will be back in place for the visit of Sarajevo on Wednesday.
