James Forrest has been on the winning side in 24 of his 37 Old Firm games since his Glasgow derby debut in a 2-0 win at Ibrox in January 2011. The Celtic veteran says the new signings are ready for the madness of the fixture, with a Premier Sports Cup semi-final place at stake.
Forrest's derby record and advice to new signings
Forrest made his derby bow 15 years ago when Neil Lennon threw him into action as Georgios Samaras scored a brace. Now 35, the one-club man has been preparing summer arrivals Camilo Duran, record signing Kasper Hogh and German playmaker Mika Baur, along with fellow veterans Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney, for what awaits.
He said: "Yeah, but I think they've settled in well. There has been a lot of them but when you talk to the new boys, they've all watched Celtic-Rangers games on the telly. They know what they're like. When they speak to the fans in the street or other people, they talk about these games."
"I think that'll be a big part of why players want to come here as well. So I think they'll be looking forward to it. We play at Ibrox on Sunday then we play Rangers at Celtic Park a week on Sunday as well so I think the new boys will be looking forward to the games."
New boys settle in after tough away wins
Forrest praised the new signings' start, pointing to wins at St Mirren and St Johnstone. He said: "You just see the new boys have done well. We went to St Mirren away and St Johnstone away, which have been tough games for Celtic teams in the past. I think they've done well going there and getting the three points in both of those games so I think they can take confidence from the start of the season. Hopefully we can take that into Sunday."
Reflecting on his own debut, Forrest said: "It was massive back then. Maybe with social media and that, maybe it's built up bigger as well. But even back then it was massive. Celtic and Rangers fans follow their team everywhere, but there are also fans all over the world that watch these games as well."
Forrest on his career and the midweek boost
Forrest said his career has flown by: "I think the last couple of years, I feel as though it has just gone so quickly. You look back at how quickly my career has been but I'm still enjoying it, I'm still working hard. I love when we get new signings and still trying to better yourself. I just want to try and work as hard as I can, be here for as long as I can and keep trying to contribute and help the boys and help the team."
He also welcomed the midweek win over St Johnstone as a distraction from the build-up: "You know what, I think that can happen. It's actually quite good having a game in the midweek before because it can be a long week waiting for the game. I think it's good that we had the game on Wednesday night and a short space before we play this game. I actually think, over the years, that is quite good, that you've only got a couple of days to focus on it. Then after it you do feel drained because you put everything into it."
Hassan impresses and cup semi-final in sight
Forrest is likely to make his 38th derby appearance from the bench, with Haissem Hassan set to start on the wing. He said of the Egyptian: "I think he's been really good. I just think he's such a threat. He's really sharp, really quick and his dribbling's really good. He can go both ways. You've seen it already in the first few games that he's a real threat and he'll cause problems. You can see defenders are scared of him and I think he's just going to keep getting better and better especially once he gets his first goal. But he looks like a top talent. He's done really well, and just hopefully he can keep doing what he's done. He looks to be positive and take his man on all the time. I think this season everyone will enjoy watching him and playing with him."
Forrest knows Celtic have the chance to lay down an early marker and book a Premier Sports Cup semi-final place at Hampden. He added: "No matter what time of the season, any time there's a Celtic-Rangers game, that game's always the big one. The first one's important but then the next one comes along then you're further into the season. The next time we play it's a league game then we play them again in a couple of months. The league could be tight so then it's an important game then. Every time you play Rangers, no matter what time of the season, it's always a massive game. But it's a cup quarter-final, it's at their place with no fans so it's massive. But I think we all know that."
