James Forrest’s return to the Scotland squad for Euro 2024 ended in disappointment as the Celtic winger didn’t play a single minute during the tournament.

Despite Scotland’s struggles with creating chances and struggling down the right side,  Forrest remained on the sidelines throughout.

The 31-year-old, who participated in the pre-tournament friendly against Gibraltar, found himself unused during the actual competition, leaving fans to debate over the potential impact he could have had.

Kevin Gallacher, a former Scotland international, spoke on his dismay at Forrest’s lack of involvement, empathising with the winger’s plight in what could potentially be his last major international outing.

Speaking to the Sunday Post, Gallacher said: “When you are an older player, it is the hardest thing to take. You are experienced, you have been through it all before and you are just hoping you get a little chance. Because then people will see what you can do and say there is still life in the old dog.

“That is the way James will have been looking at it. He was there to support the other players and, if a chance had fallen his way, I am sure he would have taken it.

“However, we don’t know what Steve Clarke’s thoughts were. To have given James a game, he might have had to change the shape of the team. That is the kind of thing the manager has to take into consideration.”

It’s a story of what could’ve been, and not just with Forrest. You saw the impact many different players had, especially during the Hungary game, but it was simply just too little too late.

Forrest will be preparing to rejoin the Celtic squad for pre-season over the coming weeks, with their first friendly this Friday against Ayr United.