Celtic winger James Forrest has refused to shut the door on representing Scotland at this summer's World Cup.
Forrest, 34, signed a new one-year contract extension with the Parkhead club last week. But he has not been called up to play for the national team since the 2024 European Championships.
Forrest earned himself a place in the squad after finding form late in the season for Celtic.
Could a similar scenario play out ahead of this summer's tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico?
"I’ve never closed the door on playing for Scotland," said Forrest. "I think being at Celtic, the main thing is playing here for the rest of the season.
"If you are playing well for Celtic, then you get recognised by Scotland, because you are going for leagues, playing in cup finals and Europe.
"I’ve seen in the past, as a Celtic player, it does sometimes lead to Scotland as well. To be honest, the main focus is on doing well for Celtic, giving everything from now until the end of the season."
Forrest has scored nine goals in 39 Scotland caps. His last appearance for the national team came against Gibraltar in a friendly ahead of Euro 2024.
Manager Steve Clarke kept in regular contact with Forrest last year. The pair spoke after Scotland sealed qualification for the World Cup with a dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark at Hampden.
"It’s obviously unbelievable what Steve Clarke and the players have done," Forrest added. "It’s great for the country, reaching a World Cup.
"I spoke to the manager a couple of times, maybe more at the start of last season and after we qualified.
"The manager has done great. He’s picked the teams that have done brilliantly to get to another competition. Everyone will back whatever decisions he makes."
Forrest had to cancel his summer holiday plans after being included in Scotland's squad for Euro 2024, and he has yet to book anything this time around.
He explained: "To be fair, we don’t know when we will be back in with Celtic yet either, so nothing is booked.
"Everything is always a bit last-minute when you are a footballer anyway.
"I was booked up before the Euros but ended up going. I’ve been part of the last two Euros and that was great. But, as I said, the main one is Celtic but if it happens, it happens. I just want a good finish to the season."
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Forrest has come to the fore with his club in recent weeks. As the season reaches a crescendo, interim Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has turned to players he trusts.
Forrest came off the bench and sparked Celtic into life in a 6-2 victory over St Mirren in their Scottish Cup semi-final the Sunday before last.
He began the next match against Falkirk – it was Forrest's third league start of the season.
Having not been called up to the national team since Euro 2024, Forrest has been forced to watch on while Clarke's men continue to make history.
"It’s unbelievable the games they’ve won with the pressure they have been under," he said. "I’ve watched the games and I know the lads. I’m delighted for them.
"I’m obviously a bit older. I would have loved to have played in a World Cup and been part of it. But, at the same time, I’ve had a good career and it’s not done yet.
"You can never rule anything out in football. That’s the great thing about it. I’ve signed up for another year here and I want to work hard and do as well as possible.
"The boys have been unreal and they deserve the chance to go to the World Cup."
Celtic right-back Anthony Ralston is 14 away from matching Forrest's cap total.
The 27-year-old started every game for Scotland at Euro 2024 and remains a regular fixture in Clarke's team.
Ralston is expected to earn a World Cup berth.
Forrest said: "I think it’s the hardest thing in football. Raldo has done it so many times. He goes away with Scotland, and he might not have played for a couple of months here [Celtic].
"But he goes and does really well. You see it here too. He might not be involved for a while but then he comes back and he never lets you down.
"We see him every day in training, he always gives 100 percent, and he’s got the quality as well.
"Coming through the youth team here, he knows what it takes. It’s great he’s still getting picked regularly for Scotland and it shows you how good a player he is."
Scotland are in Group C at this summer's World Cup, alongside Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil. Their matches take place in Boston and Miami.
Enjoy another late-season renaissance, and Forrest best not book any summer holidays.
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