Alan was different league
The man who gave Alan Forrest his first chance at Ayr insists he’s never seen a better young talent.
Mark Roberts thrust the 16- year- old into action after being wowed by the protege at a United Academy camp.
The former boss said: “I asked... who on earth is that kid?
“I’d never seen a young player with that type of footballing brain.
“He was on a different planet.”
Forrest’s summer move to Livingston on a two- year deal was confirmed this week.
Roberts added: “He’ll go there and be a success, I have no doubt about that.”
Mark Roberts knew he’d spotted a player from the moment he clapped eyes on Alan Forrest.
As a pencil- thin schoolboy, the Ayr United Academy product was going through his paces during a holiday camp.
And Roberts, then Ayr gaffer, turned up to join the youngsters for a kickabout.
Eight years on, Forrest has finally fulfilled his promise by winning a move to the Scottish Premiership with Livingston.
But Roberts is only stunned it hasn’t happened sooner.
He said: “I’ll always remember that day when I first saw Forrest at Prestwick Academy. I turned to Davie White ( head of youth) and asked... who on earth is that kid?
“I stood there and said I wanted him fast- tracked to the first team squad.
“I think Davie thought I was off my rocker but I’d never seen a young player with that type of footballing brain.
“With kids you can just tell by the way they move or play a ball round the corner whether or not they’ve got it.
“And believe me, he was on a different planet.”
Just a year later, Forrest would become Ayr ’ s youngest ever scorer aged 16 years and 321 days in a Ramsden’s Cup tie against Queen’s Park at Hampden.
Marko recalls: “I never had any fears about throwing him in – he was that good.
“Right enough, he did look like a 16- year- old trapped in a toddler’s body. And he used to take some amount of stick because the kit never fitted him. “But when you could play like he did, that hardly mattered.
“In training, he was streets ahead of some seasoned pros and I knew immediately we had a special talent on our hands.” Forrest, who has since gone on to b e c o m e
Ayr’s longest serving player, earned national honours with the Scotland under 21s in 2016.
And he rattled in 55 goals in more than 200 appearances for United.
But Roberts insisted: “The only thing I’d say about Alan is he should have moved sooner – maybe even three years ago.
“I’ve told him that myself. “Had he taken the step up then, he’d now be an established Premiership player at 23.
“I truly believe he is that good as you don’t get players with his natural ability coming along often.
“He’ll go to Livingston and be a success, I’ve no doubt about that. The way they set up with the three playing behind the striker will suit him down to the ground.
“Obviously the comparisons with his brother will only increase now but I think Alan has a better footballing brain than James.
“Where James has excelled is he has the all- round package and has become such an explosive player at the top level.
“Alan is still a baby in footballing terms and has plenty of time to make the impact at the top level that I always thought he would.”
Marko: Mark Roberts admits his best moment in My big football came as an Ayr United player.
regret But his biggest at regret is not being able to walk back through Somerset’s front door.
The former boss ended his playing days in the black and white and was a key man in the promotion party at Brechin in 2011.
That led to a three - year stint in the dugout which ultimately turned sour as Marko’s relationship with fans bombed.
And he confessed: “My memories as an Ayr player are fantastic. That day at Brechin was the highlight of my footballing life. Three pitch invasions – just madness.
“I always tell people there was nothing like playing in front of the Somerset Road End when chasing a goal.
“Sometimes it felt like there were 10,000 people in there. It’s just an incredible place.”
Marko, 44, has since been back in the coaching and management game, at Clyde and Queen’s Park, and still harbours hopes of a future in the dugout.
He said: “Everyone knows how things turned out at Ayr.
“To this day, I still wouldn’t feel comfortable going back to watch the team because of how things ended.
“I guess that’s the danger of being both a player and then a manager at the same club. You’re more likely to be remembered for what you did as a manager than any of your playing days.
“And that’s the most disappointing thing for me because I enjoyed some fantastic times at Ayr with some great goals.
“I still have a picture up of that day at Brechin and it’s a memory that will stay with me forever.”
Marko added: “In hindsight, the writing was on the wall for me after the Cowdenbeath play- off defeat in that second season.
“But you want to try your best to make things work and although we had a tight budget, we did everything we could.
“Ultimately it didn’t happen but it wasn’t for the lack of trying.”
He looked like a 16- year- old in a toddler’s body. But his brain was frightening