Ajax snub led Harry to Ibrox – eventually!

HARRY FORRESTER once turned down a move to Ajax to join up with Mark Warburton.

And he’s now sure that was the right decision because it led to him becoming a Rangers player.

The 26-year-old has had a rollercoaster year at Ibrox but maintains he has no regrets about coming to Scotland.

It’s a move he might not have made if his career had taken a different direction in 2011, when a chance meeting in Hong Kong almost led to him joining the Dutch giants.

He said: “I had played in the Hong Kong 7’s tournament with Aston Villa. Rangers were actually involved in it as well.

“I did well, scored a few goals and got speaking to the Ajax coach in a foyer.

“He got wind that I was being released by Villa, so got me over to Amsterdam for a trial.

“I was there for three weeks and trained with the likes of Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen.

“It was a different world and I enjoyed it. I just didn’t think it was the right move for my career.

“Sometimes you look at the name. It would have been great to play for Ajax – but is it Ajax or is it their reserves?

“I was at a point in my career where I’d proved myself at youth and reserve level.

“It was about time I proved myself in a men’s environment, with fans screaming and shouting.

“So I decided to join Brentford instead. Mark Warburton was the Sporting Director and Uwe Rosler was the manager.

“They really wanted me to play as a key man for their first team, and they’d offered me a contract before I even went to Holland.

“I had to make the right decision for my career and not my ego

“It was a shock to people that I chose that path, but now I’m playing for Rangers.”

Forrester came to the Light Blues via Doncaster Rovers.

He again finds himself in a situation where he’d like more first-team action, but has no thoughts of moving on.

He said: “The season started off well, but recently I haven’t started as many games as I wanted to.

“Every footballer wants to play, so I have to get my head down and force my way back in the team.

“Not playing does affect me, I’m not going to hide that. But the boys in ahead of me have done well so I have to bide my time and take my chance when it comes.”

Forrester issued an apology for not passing to Joe Dodoo near the end of the Hogmanay defeat by Celtic.

He said: “Sometimes it’s better to own up to it and not shy away, pretending it didn’t happen.

“I believe I can provide the team with a killer pass if I get the chance. There have been times when I’ve done that.

“But lately there have been a few instances when I’ve been guilty of giving it away.

“That comes with match time and sharpness.”