Celtic manage Neil Lennon has said that James Forrest can develop into a more versatile player as he enters into the prime of his career. The Scotland international will be entering the 10th season with the Scottish champions next term and Lennon is looking forward to playing him more centrally in the number 10 position.

Speaking to the club’s website, Lennon praised the contributions of Forrest towards the club and believes the 28-year-old has the credentials to succeed in more than one position, he said:“As James goes on, he may need to evolve his game in a different position. He may need to play inside as he gets older and that’s something we’ll look at.

“He’s two-footed, quick and he can get on the half-turn in those inside positions to break the lines, rather than just doing the long running all the time in the winger’s position. “If people are getting too wise to him, can he develop his game for different positions? Of course he can, because he’s got the talent.”

Forrest has concerns with the fitness during the early stages of his professional career. However, he has managed to overcome the same as he has progressed. In the recent campaign, he managed over 60 appearances for club and country and unsurprisingly, he was able to showcase a tireless workrate without a drop in terms of the performance.

At present, Forrest has three years remaining on his contract with the Hoops and it appears that he would prefer to remain a one-club man with the ambition of penning another long-term deal to take him towards the final stages of his career. Celtic have made three signings in Boli Bolingoli, Christopher Julien and Luca Connell this summer, but the former’s arrival could result in the potential sale of Kieran Tierney. The left-back is currently the subject of a £25m bid from Arsenal.