Martindale hopes to see Forrest on fire at Tynecastle
As winger prepares for exit, Dundee cap McGhee tenure with loss ahead of return to drawing board
Livingston Dundee
IAIN COLLIN
AT THE TONY MACARONI ARENA
T2 1
HERE were goodbyes galore at Almondvale as Dundee said farewell to the Premiership with a defeat to Livingston.
The Dark Blues will now attempt to reset on and off the pitch in an attempt to ensure their stay in the Championship is short-lived. Despite relegation being confirmed last midweek, manager Mark McGhee had claimed he wanted to stay on. But, after the club announced ahead of the match that he would not be getting his way, defeat seemed a fitting end to a dismal campaign for Dundee.
Uncertainty will now shroud Dens Park until a new head coach is identified and a downtrodden squad is reinvigorated.
The architect of Livingston’s victory, Alan Forrest, is another on the move. However, in contrast, he is on the up. The 25-year-old was afforded a half-hour cameo as his contract comes to an end and set up Andrew Shinnie’s equaliser before spearing in the winner.
Forrest is wanted by Dundee United and only a U-turn from the player prevented St Johnstone from securing his services in January. Now, manager David Martindale is convinced the former Ayr United winger is headed for Hearts and is confident it will be a successful move.
“He has an opportunity to play for one of the topfour clubs in the league so I think he has to take it,” said Martindale whilst admitting he is not holding out hope for another change of mind from Forrest. “If he does leave, he’ll go with my best wishes.
“He’s a great kid and, you never know, in years to come we might work together again. But I’ll take a lot of satisfaction if, for instance, he’s running out at Tynecastle to play for
Hearts next season because it’s a great club with a fantastic support and tremendous facilities.
“I’d have loved it if he was going there for a transfer fee and the club got some financial reward from it. But I’m just delighted that Alan’s got this chance. They’re in the Europa League next season, of course.
“I’m saying it’s Hearts and that’s who I assume he’s joining because he’s spoken about them. That might not be his final decision but I hope it is. Hearts have a huge budget and there will be lots of players being offered to Robbie Neilson so it’ll be difficult for him. But you need to take yourself out of your comfort zone if you’re going to progress your career.”
Livingston looked far from at ease early on as Dundee sought some crumbs of comfort on the last day. Max Anderson struck the outside of the post and Max Stryjek twice brilliantly denied Paul McMullan. Dundee’s opener arrived in the 59th minute and was a second goal in two games for the promising Josh Mulligan. Jordan Marshall’s cross was tempting and Mulligan’s run and header were perfection.
Martindale responded by calling Forrest, Nicky Devlin, Joel Nouble and Scott Pittman off the bench as Craig Sibbald and Jack McMillan made way on their final appearances for the club. When veteran goalkeeper Gary Maley also entered the fray for his swan-song with 15 minutes remaining, the home fans greeted the cult hero as if a goal had been scored.
Moments later it was. Devlin’s header from a corner was cleared off the line and Forrest picked out Shinnie who swept in from six yards out. Six minutes later, Forrest curled in a sumptuous winner from the edge of the box to
complete Livi’s comeback and sum up Dundee’s season.
“There will be some people moving on, others staying,” said Dundee coach Dave Mackay ahead of meetings today. “But it’s a chance now for the club to rebuild to make sure the next time we get back to the Premiership, in hopefully a year’s time, it is in a much better place to sustain it.”