Speaking to Celtic TV after the match, he said: "The last couple of days I was quite nervous and I'm not usually like that for any game.

"Actually getting to the stadium tonight made me feel so much better and just being amongst the boys and seeing family and friends was incredible.

"Right from the start, from getting to the stadium, I just really enjoyed it.

'Everyone is saying it's my night but it's the effort my family have had to put in, which is incredible throughout the years.'

"I couldn't have done it without them and everyone else really close to me.

"I feel it's everyone's night - the staff, the players, the fans, I can't do it without everyone and I'm delighted with how the night went."

Away from the Forrest celebrations, it was also an important match in the pre-season preparations, taking on a strong side that finished eighth in La Liga last season.

It proved to be the perfect warm-up to Saturday's league opener, with Celtic coming from behind twice to win 3-2 through goals from Reo Hatate, Alexandro Bernabei and David Turnbull.

This campaign will be Forrest's 15th in the first-team and he can't wait to do it all over again as the Celts look to hold on to their domestic honours.

He added: "I came off when we were 2-1 down but the second-half team did really well and everything about tonight I thoroughly enjoyed.

"It's amazing, I've really enjoyed pre-season, we were away for a good couple of weeks.

"I'm 32 but I'm still really enjoying it. It's all I know and it's a great place to be and I want to keep doing as much as I can for the club."

James Forrest: Testimonial was for everyone on my journey