Forrest so glad big brother is watching

Alan is relishing Euro role reversal with Celtic star James

SINCE the age of 13 and for every season of the last dozen, Europe to Alan Forrest was all about supporting older sibling James in action for Celtic. Whether amid the thunderous Parkhead atmosphere or sitting at home following his brother’s fortunes on TV in often far-flung places, Forrest was rarely short of continental competition thrills with a family tie.

For the Celtic winger has amassed a remarkable 107 European appearances.

Throughout the watching brief, his biggest fan gave little thought to the idea he might be capable of tracking those boot steps. On Thursday in Zurich, the younger Forrest brother has his opportunity.

Hearts enter the Europa League play-offs, tackling surprise Swiss champions away this midweek.

Thanks to the cushion of dropping into the Conference League if defeated, there’s ample opportunity for a role reversal with Hearts guaranteed groupstage games.

Having James attend Tynecastle to watch him in Europe will be a proud occasion for the Hearts new boy.

Forrest grinned: ‘When I think back over the years, I’ve gone to a few of James’s European games, so I owe him a few comps!

‘I know he has a busy schedule. I’m sure if he has time off and it fits in, he’d be delighted to go.

‘I’m be delighted if he could. Hopefully, he can get to a few and experience those.

‘I’m buzzing to get the chance. I’ve come from Ayr and Livingston where I haven’t had that chance.

‘So to experience that is something I’m really looking forward to. I’ve always wanted that, but never thought too much about it.

‘Obviously when you’re playing in League One and the Championship, it feels far away but I never felt it was out of reach. I was just focused on taking it in stages, doing well where I was at that time.

‘I feel I’ve progressed from Ayr to Livingston and on again to Hearts. Speaking to James and him telling me how good European football is, it’s good for me to have that to push towards.

‘It’s all new to me. He’s had that all his career, dealing with playing Europe then at the weekend, so it’s good to speak to him about it.

‘He said it’s tough at the start, it might take a few games for the body to get used to.

‘He thoroughly enjoyed it, though, and his advice was embrace it. He’s buzzing for me that I’ve got the opportunity.’

The 25-year-old elevated performances to another level in his second Livingston season, attracting January bids from St Johnstone. Forrest rejected the approach, shrewdly opting to see what other interest he may court.

In stepped European contenders Dundee United, today’s visitors to Tynecastle, and Hearts.

Forrest continued: ‘For a lot of players, things happen in different ways and you can’t explain why. That (turning down St Johnstone) was one of those for me.

‘When I look back at the season, I played most games and had a positive season.

‘I kicked on, chipping in with more goals and assists. It feels like it’s all worked out really well. I’m delighted.’

When asked about United’s interest, Forrest said: ‘That was one of the teams. There were a few options but, as soon as Hearts came in, that was the one I wanted to get done.

‘I’ve been happy so far. I’ve played the first couple of games, scoring on the first day and getting the win was a really good moment for me.

‘It’s a really good standard all the time with some really good players in the squad.

‘Then walking out at Tynecastle in front of all the fans is different to what I’ve been used to at other clubs. It’s brilliant.’

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson, a veteran of UEFA Cup group-stage football in 2004, is confident his squad is primed to cope with the searching schedule ahead.

Thursday is the first of eight European ties for Hearts before the second week of November.

Neilson said: ‘The biggest thing is you need to recover, make sure you sleep and eat properly — because you can’t do a lot tactically with the quick turnaround.

‘For me, it’s just a mindset. A mental strength to make sure you continue to do it. You play Thursday, Sunday and you keep doing it.

‘The top players can, so it comes down to mentality rather than physicality.’

Opponents United suffered a hangover against Livingston following the intensity of their Conference League first-leg win over AZ Alkmaar.

Neilson cautioned that squad rotation will be essential to keep Hearts peaking.

He said: ‘We’ve now got that challenge to face. We spoke at the start of the season that I don’t expect anybody to play every single game.

‘They have to understand that you can be here at a big club and play “X” amount of games or go to a smaller club and play every week, if you want, but not be at the same level.

‘The players want to be at the highest level but, with that, comes an understanding that it’s a squad.’