IT was the night James was upstaged by Wee Jamesy.

On the 67th minute at Parkhead on Tuesday night the glistening sight of thousands of phone torches being held aloft was an illuminating one, but this was not the shimmering source which lit up an enlightening evening for Celtic. Instead, it was the hot glow from the figure in green and white rampaging down the right wing with sparks coming from his boots.

For all the 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich did not herald a landmark night for the collective good at Celtic, the pang of defeat was softened by the sight of James Forrest, in full flow, at his best. This was arguably his finest 90 minutes on a Celtic jersey.

There have been few who have divided opinion in the Celtic Park stands over the last seven years as much as Forrest. Once often questioned over his final ball, Forrest’s consistent run of form under Brendan Rodgers and highlights – including the goal that landed Celtic a Champions League play-off spot in Norway – point to a player in his prime. But his efforts on Tuesday night surpassed all expectation as the belief he belonged at this level shone through.

“Definitely,” he said. “Through the full campaign last year and the qualifiers this year I’ve got the experience. You are only going to get better playing against the top players and top teams. Personally, it was a great performance, especially in the Champions League. But I felt all the boys did themselves justice, we are just all a bit devastated with the result. We’re gutted but even though we feel that way we can still acknowledge how well we played.”

It was a sterling showing that was noticed by those around him. Leigh Griffiths, watching on from the bench until he was introduced with 11 minutes to go, had a front row seat as Forrest terrorised David Alaba, perhaps the best left-back in the world. Although, for Griffiths it was nothing new.

“James has played at this level for a number of years now and against Bayern he showed what he was all about,” he said. “His speed caused them so many problems.

“There might be a perception that Patrick [Roberts] is first choice in that position but James proved that isn't the case. No-one is first choice here On his game, James is one of the best players in Scotland, you saw that with his performance against Bayern.

“He gave David Alaba a real hard time and when he's on it, he can terrorise anybody. Of course, Patrick is a great player. But none of the wingers have the right to think of themselves as first choice in this squad.

“It's unfortunate for him that he's injured but it has given James a run in the team. And if he produces performances like he did on Tuesday, he won't be out of the team. He's already scored big, important goals for this club in the Champions League and he got his assist for Cal the other night. The wee man has no fear. He can play in any stadium you like without batting an eyelid.”

While Griffiths insists that Roberts is not first pick, Forrest himself acknowledges the need to make an impact while he can. While the Manchester City loanee sits out with a hamstring problem, his replacement laid down a marker on Tuesday night.

“Yes, because I started most of the games last year and then all of the qualifiers,” he said on the back of his first Champions League start of the campaign. “I came on in the first three group games but there is nothing better than starting, with the crowd and the atmosphere. You want to start the big games and I was buzzing about that.

“Any time a player starts he wants to play well and show what he can do. The manager has so many options, internationals for every position. You have to make sure you are ready when called upon.”

On the back of that showing, it would be difficult to see Forrest not playing a part in Paris on November 22 for what on the outside is a shot at nothing, but to those within the Celtic camp presents another opportunity to show they belong at this level.

Asked about the group’s final game against Anderlecht being a cup final in the race for a Europa League place, Forrest added: “I think so but we will worry about PSG first. The Anderlecht game will take care of itself but we need to do everything we can to be in Europe after Christmas.

“You are playing against the best so you do different types of running than in the games where you have the ball more.

“The boys have all had a good pre-season and so the boys are fit. We have the squad to deal with both types of games. It’s tiring physically and mentally but that’s what you want to do.”