IT will perhaps not be until after James Forrest retires that Celtic supporters will realise what they had in the winger, or that he himself will realise what he has achieved at the club. In speaking to him, you get the sense he rather like it that way, happy to hide his prodigious talent in plain sight.

The unassuming Forrest doesn’t do social media. He isn’t one to blow his own trumpet, but occasionally, others will do it for him.

That is how he came to learn that he is now the top assist provider for Celtic in the 21st century after the win over St Mirren on Wednesday night, where he also chipped in with a goal for good measure on the day he signed a four-year contract extension. Alan Thompson and Henrik Larsson make up the rest of the top three, so he’s in decent enough company. Such accolades seem to glide off his back like he himself does past an opposing full-back.

READ MORE: Chelsea kid Billy Gilmour: I go and watch Rangers at every opportunity

“I am not on social media, I keep myself away from that,” Forrest said. “But someone sent me it and it is good to see it, but I don’t want to think about stuff like that just now. I always want to think of the next game and then add to it.

“It is great to hear. It is good and I do get a buzz off it, but you need to stay grounded. The staff are good at keeping the boys humble. Maybe once I finish, I will look back at things like that and realise what I had, but for now I want to keep working hard and get as much as I can get.

“I am not embarrassed because it is good, but I am not one for social media or being out there. When you play for a club like Celtic it is worldwide, and I think over the years I have never taken it for granted how big the club is. I am delighted with the way things are going but I just want to make sure it continues.”

That Forrest may be under-appreciated doesn’t mean his isn’t appreciated at all by the Celtic support, and he noticed on Wednesday night that his name has replaced that of his former manager Brendan Rodgers in one of the fans’ staples.

“I heard it and it was good to hear,” Forrest said, looking a little bashful. “I must be doing something right, so I just want to keep it going.”

The theme of what comes next is ever-present in Forrest’s words, and he has shown through his actions that the bigger the game, the more he seems to thrive. On both a personal and a collective level, he says that the hunger to bring success to Celtic has not abated despite the glut of medals and silverware that have passed through their hands in recent years.

READ MORE: Scott Brown declares himself fit and raring to go for Celtic's crucial double-header

The next big game is tomorrow’s Betfred Cup semi-final against Hibernian at Hampden, which is followed by a trip to Rome to face Lazio on Europa League duty. You may not be surprised to hear though that Forrest seems unflustered by it all, with his focus firmly on maintaining his own and the team’s high standards.

“Even though I have signed that deal I am not going to think that is me here for the next four years,” he said.

“Over the last couple of months, I always thought it was going to happen, but it has gone on for a wee while. It is good for myself and for the club and I am buzzing that is it done and the most important thing is that I can just focus on playing.

“I know I need to work hard at it and it so enjoyable to play in this team just now.

“It has been amazing over the last few years with the success we have had, and I think everyone has had a taste for it and you just want to keep being a part of it. That is why the standards are so high.

“With Celtic there are so many big games. We have a semi-final on Saturday and then a Europa League game on Thursday and we know we can’t afford to slip up in the league either. That is good and you want to be involved in the big games and contribute. Hopefully I can do that on Saturday.

“The manager (Neil Lennon) is good. I don’t think he will let us think about Lazio. Hibs is the big one for us now and we all know that it is a great day if we go to Hampden for a final so that is what we want to do. Everyone is looking forward to it.

READ MORE: Graeme McGarry: Football can no longer ignore the evidence, players must be protected from dementia

“We won’t write Hibs off because we have had tough games against them. We know that it will be a hard game and we are going to need to play at our best if we want to get to the final.

“We have had good performances and good results at Hampden so we are going in there with a lot of confidence. It is about the way we are playing and I just want to help the team to get to a final.”

Forrest says it is that competition for places more than anything else that helps to keep him so sharp week after week.

Characteristically, even though he is now into double figures for goals already this season, he doesn’t feel assured of the starting slot which will surely be his for both matches over the next week.

“That is the pressure of playing for Celtic and that is what keeps the players and the staff on their toes,” he said.

“You know that if don’t have a good game that there is a big squad to deal with it and someone to come in.”

“There have been a few different managers over the years and so many different players in my position, and good players too, so the competition for places has definitely helped me to keep going.”

Thankfully for Celtic and their supporters, there appears to be a lot more to come from Forrest yet.