James Forrest has reassured Celtic that he will put the club's needs before his interest in playing for Team GB at the Olympics.
The 20-year-old has been contacted by Team GB officials about playing at the London games and had publicly declared his interest in the Olympic tournament. Forrest, club captain Scott Brown and Welsh full-back Adam Matthews have all received letters enquiring about their interest in being part of Team GB and so have Rangers players Steven Davis, Steven Naismith, Allan McGregor and Steven Whittaker.
But the games will inevitably clash with some important club fixtures, given that the Olympics go ahead in July and August, at the same time as Champions League qualifying rounds and the start of the next Clydesdale Bank Premier League season on August 4.
Given that Team GB has only three places available for players over 23, and two of those are expected to go to David Beckham and Ryan Giggs, Forrest is far more likely to be selected by manager Stuart Pearce than any of the other Old Firm candidates.
Forrest revealed that he still has the go-ahead from manager Neil Lennon and others to participate in the tournament, but the club has reserved the right to ask him to withdraw if he is selected. "I'm still open to it, but it's a wee while away and I am just concentrating on Celtic. I need to think about it.
"It'll be up to the club. The club have said just now that I can play in the Olympics. But if the fixtures come around and Celtic want to keep me, then I'm happy to do that. Everyone at the club has said they'll be happy for me to play unless there are fixtures [at the same time].
"Celtic would be my priority, they would come before the Olympics. For any player to be linked with the squad and the players that are in it is good, but if Celtic have games, that is where I will be staying."
Forrest has recovered from a virus and will be available to start as Celtic aim to win their 12th consecutive league game at St Mirren this lunchtime. It should be his first outing since being included in a list published by FIFA this week of the 13 most promising young players in the world.
Like the Team GB interest, he said the accolade will not distract him from his work. "It is nice when people are talking about you and recognising what you are doing. Players are being recognised in Scotland and that's a good thing, too. It's good to hear, but it's more about the team. I need to stay in the team and keep performing well.
"Maybe it adds pressure, but that is what it's like in football. Keeping your feet on the ground is the only way. There is no point in sitting back and thinking about being on the list because I haven't done anything in the game yet. That is for me to work on and try to win trophies with Celtic."
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