James Forrest jokes that he "needs to get his finger out".

That's because the Celtic veteran has yet to score this season, something he's proudly achieved in his 15 previous campaigns with the Scottish Premiership leaders. 

Forrest, 33, looked to be on the way out of Celtic earlier this year before finding his way back into Brendan Rodgers' plans and playing a pivotal role in clinching a domestic double.

The Hoops winger, who last netted against Kilmarnock on May 15, has since earned a new contract and admits he's really enjoying his new-found role in the side. 

"Maybe just recently [I've been thinking about the goal drought]," he said. "A few folk have mentioned it but it's one where obviously as an attacking player you want to be scoring and assisting.

“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.

“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!”(Image: SNS Group)

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Celtic can take a big leap to maintaining their league crown should they defeat Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Wednesday, with the potential of a seven point gap opening up.

What better time than the present to get that monkey off your back than against your closest current rivals. And Forrest knows that. 

“Definitely, it would be a good one," he admitted. “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. If I get a chance to make an impact then I can try and score.”

On his turnaround from an ageing fringe player to key star, Forrest said: “Aye, I think football's mad. I think it can change so quick. I've seen it over the years, it has happened.

“I think the biggest turnaround for me was the one in February and then when I came back in March. That's the biggest turnaround for me, but I think it always makes you feel better when you turn it around when things aren't going so well. 

“It makes it even better when you do come back and contribute and you win the league and you win the cup as well.

“I think that's what any player needs to do, just keep working hard and hopefully your luck can change.”

Forrest has the opportunity to match the club record of 25 winners' medals held by Lisbon Lion Bobby Lennox when Celtic take on Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup final on December 15.

Achieving such successes throughout his career has come with its sacrifices, and Forrest acknowledges that he is only now beginning to fully appreciate what it means to represent Celtic for so long as he becomes a more experienced head in the Hoops' dressing room.

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“Sometimes because of the pressure of playing for Celtic, there’s a game every couple of days, important games, and I think it can maybe be sometimes hard to enjoy it,” he said. “You maybe enjoy it once the season’s finished, or if you’ve won a cup, you can enjoy it there, but there’s always a big game.

“But personally I do feel as though it’s probably one of the most I’ve ever enjoyed, being a part of it and playing. And then obviously it helps with how successful the team’s been and how well the team’s playing as well.

“Maybe when I was in my mid-20s it was kind of new when you’re winning constantly and it doesn’t matter what game you’re playing, the pressure’s massive. The amount of fans that come to our home games, away games, it’s mental throughout the full season.

“So I think maybe just when you sit back a wee bit when you’re older and realise how big the club is, and you know that you’re not going to play forever, so you want to enjoy it as much as you can.

“Matt O’Riley always used to talk about having fun and enjoying yourself. I think the manager says as well, when you’re playing with a smile on your face, you can see loads of boys are feeling confident. I think that’s why the team is doing really well.

“Everyone’s enjoying the hard work in the games and you can see it with the performances and the results as well.”