JAMES FORREST is hoping to extend his contract with Celtic as soon as possible as he looks to end his career as a one-club man, stating “there’s not many clubs like Celtic in the world”.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon spoke recently about how he hopes to keep the winger at the club beyond the end of his current deal, which he extended last September and doesn’t expire until the summer of 2022.

That was a massive boost to Forrest, who is eager to put pen to paper once Celtic’s hectic early season schedule dies down a little.

“I’ve not hidden the fact that I’d like to extend,” Forrest said. “It’s a busy period at the moment, with a lot of games coming thick and fast, but when the time is right I’d love to commit to stay here for as a long as I can.

“Nowadays you don’t get many one club players but there’s not many clubs like Celtic in the world.

“The fan base and everything about the club is incredible, I’ve really seen that over the last few years, and I’d love to stay a part of that for as long as I can.

“Happiness is important. If you ask any footballer, you want to enjoy your career and that’s how I feel at Celtic.

“You can take it for granted but in every game that Celtic has there is massive pressure, whether it’s at home in the league one day and then Champions League a few days later.

“The pressure is always there to keep you going rather than some places where you might be able to sit back and chill a bit more. That motivates you to want more.

“You want to play in the Champions league and obviously it helps you with the national team as well. It’s a great club to be at.

“If you look here and at clubs down south you don’t see one club men very much and a lot of managers move about as well.

“But I think it’s a positive thing if you are staying at a big club like Celtic for so long. The key is to not look too far ahead, take it a game at a time and just keep working hard to be here.”

Forrest says he hasn’t been tempted by thoughts of a move to England despite the riches on offer south of the border, with what he can achieve on the field of greater importance to him.

“A lot of players down in England haven’t played in the Champions League, or even in Europe at all,” he said.

“If you are playing well for Celtic, it also gives you a better chance of playing for Scotland. For me, it’s massive playing for your country.

“I’m playing against top players and bettering myself that way. The pressure of playing for Celtic is massive, it’s something I enjoy and something I want for a few years more.”