AYR STAR ALAN TARGETS A TOP-FLIGHT SHOWDOWN WITH CELTIC SIBLING
Ayr star Forrest targets top-flight showdown with his Celtic sibling
BOBBY and Jack Charlton. Gary and Phil Neville. Yaya and Kolo Toure. Football has a long history of sibling rivalries. Brothers have bonded as team-mates or sparked famous fall-outs when competing against each other — and Scotland could be about to add another family ‘feud’ to the list.
Despite all their success, James and Alan Forrest have never faced each other in professional football. Now, the younger brother is flying with Ayr United at the top of the Championship and the pair could finally come head-to-head next season if Ian McCall’s side are promoted to the Premiership at the end of this campaign.
Alan has already secured ‘legendary’ status in Ayrshire, having amassed more than 200 appearances for the Honest Men at the tender age of 22, and has played a key part in the success the team has enjoyed over the last two seasons.
Despite winning the League One title last season, few could have imagined Ayr being realistic Championship title challengers at the start of this term. Yet they continue to defy the odds — and surprise themselves in the process — as they sit top of the table with the mid-point of the season fast approaching. ‘I think it’s still a bit early to dream,’ admitted Forrest. ‘We’re just coming up to halfway through the season, there’s still a long way to go, but we’re happy with the way it’s gone so far. Hopefully, we can stay on top for Christmas, compete in every game and see where it takes us. ‘It’s an exciting thought to come up against James, though. Celtic are one of the teams I’ve not played against. We’ve played Rangers and Aberdeen but not Celtic, so, obviously, if we did get promoted, it would be great to go and compete against him. ‘James has done really well with what he’s achieved in his career. I’m just hoping to do as well as I can. We let each other do our own thing. He doesn’t say too much, he just lets me get on with it but, if I did go to him, he’d be there to give me advice. ‘My dad has always been a big football fan so, since a young age, it’s just always been about football, playing at the park and getting into a boys’ club early enough.
‘I’ve enjoyed it here at Ayr. It’s good to be playing in the Championship, at a good level and competing. As a player, you’re looking to do the best you can. That’s the aim.’
Forrest has been a part of Ayr United for his entire career and is delighted to see the long-term vision of the manager and the club paying off. The winger won’t feature in today’s top-of-thetable clash with Ross County, having only returned to light training as he recovers from a back injury, with the aim of returning to the playing squad around the New Year.
However, with the Highlanders failing to beat Queen of the South last time out, today’s game could still see Ayr open up a four-point gap over their nearest rivals with a game in hand, cementing their place at the Championship summit and putting them in the driving seat for the title.
‘We know we’ve got a good squad but, obviously, at the start of the season we weren’t thinking we were going to do as well as what we have,’ said Forrest. ‘I think we’ve surprised everyone and long may it continue.
‘You’ll get opinions out there, folk will think the bubble’s going to burst, but we’re hoping it doesn’t. There’s been no change for us — we just keep working hard all season and it’s no different going into each game.
‘When you get promoted, you’re just looking to stay in the league and have stability in the Championship. Obviously, that’s different now.
‘I think that would be a worstcase scenario for our ambition now. Anything’s a bonus for us. Hopefully, we can just keep winning games.
‘Once we’d played everybody in the league, there was no team to fear. It’s a good league and there are really good teams. It’s a hard league, as well, but I don’t think we’re any worse than any of the other teams.
‘We’re looking just to compete in every game and see where it takes us. It’s good having Lawrence Shankland with all his goals and Michael Moffat chipping in, as well. Then you’ve got Craig Moore, as well. Having three good strikers is a great help.
‘Some folk say we’re a one-man team, but there’s a lot of good players in the dressing room who have done their bit, as well.
‘We obviously had this team last year and the gaffer has made a few good signings on top of that, as well.
‘We’ve got a great relationship and it’s a good squad.’