A truly memorable moment unfolded at Celtic Park as club icon Bobby Lennox met with James Forrest to present him with a special award, commemorating James becoming the most decorated player in Celtic’s history. It was a symbolic torch-passing between two of the club’s all-time greats — a legend of Lisbon honouring a modern-day hero. Celtic TV captured the touching exchange, and it’s a must-watch.
While reminiscing about the famous 4-2 match from this day in 1979, it’s important to remember that Bobby Lennox was more than just a Lisbon Lion — he also played a key role when “Ten Men Won the League,” coming off the bench to help Celtic clinch the title.
The connection between Forrest and “The Buzzbomb” is genuinely heartwarming, reflecting James’ deep respect for the Lisbon legend. It’s the kind of admiration you’d expect from any supporter, but in this case, it’s coming from one of the only players to match Lennox’s trophy haul in Celtic colours.
There’s been some back-and-forth on social media about whether Forrest is technically the most decorated, with some pointing out Lennox’s European Cup win versus James’ all-domestic honours. But honestly, does it matter? Both are legendary figures who deserve nothing but praise from the Celtic faithful.
Forrest’s goal on Saturday was significant for several reasons — not only did it achieve his personal milestone of scoring in 15 straight seasons for the club, but it also pushed this current Celtic side past the Lisbon Lions’ league goal tally from the iconic 1966/67 season. That said, the Lisbon Lions did it in 34 games, compared to today’s 38-match format. Given four more games, they’d likely have added a few more goals to their total.
In the end, records can be debated — but the contributions of our heroes should always be celebrated. James Forrest has finally received the recognition he deserves from the fans, and the roar that greeted his goal was as thunderous as any heard at Paradise.
A quick note of appreciation also goes to Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell. Often only mentioned in times of criticism, Lawwell has been exceptional in his support of the Lisbon Lions, always going the extra mile without seeking praise. That hasn’t always been the case at Celtic, and his efforts deserve to be acknowledged.
