Martin O'Neill insists James Forrest's new Celtic contract isn't down to sentimentality.

The 34-year-old Scotland winger has signed a contract extension to stay with the club for an 18th season having scored in all 17 so far.

Having graduated from the club's youth set-up, Forrest has gone on to win more trophies than any player in Celtic history.

Described by the club as a "bona fide legend", Forrest has featured 36 times this season - seven of them starts - and played a pivotal role in the Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren last weekend, providing two assists in extra time as Celtic prevailed 6-2.

"I really want James to finish his career here at Celtic. I just didn't want him to be going elsewhere, and I think he wanted that as well," said interim manager O'Neill.

"But the major point about taking anyone on is to know whether they're worth an extra year and James has proved this season that he has been worth that.

"He has changed games and he has done wonderfully well. His contribution in recent weeks when he's come off the bench has been absolutely terrific, and he has deserved it, and that's the point.

"So, take sentimentality right out of it, he's deserved it.

"He's been immense for the football club since Neil Lennon brought him in when he was a young kid in the reserves, and he is what I love – I love players who take people on and he can take people on, even to have that little burst of pace at his age is worth its weight in gold."