ALANHADHIS HEARTS SET ON EUROPE
ALAN FORREST admits the opportunity to play European football until Christmas was a big factor in deciding to join Hearts.
The exciting winger became manager Robbie Neilson’s first summer recruit yesterday – as exclusively revealed by Record Sport – after putting pen to paper on a two-year deal following two fine seasons at Livingston.
Dundee United were also keen on the 25-year-old while Forrest, younger brother of Celtic forward James, turned down St Johnstone in January.
Forrest scored seven goals and was credited with five assists as he helped the Lions finish seventh last season.
And with Hearts guaranteed to be playing in continental competition in at least the Europa Conference League until the end of the year, Forrest admits he jumped at the chance to make the switch to Gorgie.
He said: “I’m delighted, as soon as I heard Hearts were interested I knew this is where I wanted to come to try and further my career so I’m delighted to get it done.
“Hearts had a really good season last year and I feel like they’re getting closer to Rangers and Celtic, they were clear in third and it felt like the right step for me.
“The big thing was the chance of playing in Europe, to make that next step and play in Europe at least until Christmas is huge for me and one I’m excited for.”
Forrest made the move to Livingston from Ayr in 2020 and excelled last season in helping Livi punch above their weight.
The playmaker thinks he can now take his game to another level with the help of Neilson.
He said: “I had a good chat with Robbie, where he saw me fitting in there and it was a positive conversation and I came away from that thinking that this is where I want to go and play my football.
“They can help me kick on, I’m ready to make that next step and kick on and I feel this is the right place to do that.”
Gaffer Neilson said: “We’re delighted to get Alan in. His development over the last 18 months has been excellent, we quickly knew we wanted him.”