Overview
Alan Forrest is a Scottish professional footballer, born on 9 September 1996, who primarily operates as a midfielder. Standing at 1.75 meters, Forrest has established himself within the Scottish football landscape through his energetic performances and offensive contributions. His career began in the youth ranks of Ayr United, where he progressed to make his senior debut, marking the start of a journey that has seen him feature for multiple clubs in Scotland.
Position
Forrest is predominantly deployed as a wide midfielder or winger, a role that allows him to utilize his pace and dribbling ability. His versatility also enables him to play on either flank, providing options for his teams in attacking transitions. While capable of contributing defensively, his primary strengths lie in creating chances and driving forward from wide positions, often cutting inside or delivering crosses into the box.
Identity
Known for his industrious work rate and direct approach, Alan Forrest's identity on the pitch is often characterized by his willingness to take on defenders and his consistent effort throughout matches. He embodies the modern wide player who combines attacking flair with a commitment to tracking back when required. His ability to maintain a high tempo makes him a valuable asset in systems that prioritize pressing and quick transitions.
Current Club
As of 2026, Alan Forrest is a key component of Heart of Midlothian, having joined the Edinburgh club to further his career in the Scottish Premiership. His tenure at Hearts has seen him contribute to the team's attacking play, providing width and an additional goal threat. His move to Tynecastle represented a step up in competition and profile, solidifying his status as a regular performer at the top level of Scottish club football.
Career path
Alan Forrest's football journey began in his native Scotland, progressing through the youth system before establishing himself as a senior professional. His development has been marked by a series of moves within the Scottish leagues, each contributing to his growth as a player.
Ayr United: Youth to Senior Debut
Forrest started his professional career at Ayr United, joining their youth academy. He made his senior debut for the club in August 2013, at the age of 16, quickly becoming a regular fixture in their squad. During his time at Ayr United, he played a significant role in their rise through the Scottish leagues, including their promotion to the Scottish Championship. Over several seasons, Forrest amassed a considerable number of appearances for the club, honing his skills and gaining vital first-team experience in a competitive environment. His consistent performances for Ayr United drew attention from clubs in higher divisions (Transfermarkt).
Livingston FC
In the summer of 2020, Forrest made the move to Scottish Premiership side Livingston FC. This transfer marked a significant step up in his career, providing him with the opportunity to compete at the highest level of Scottish football. At Livingston, he continued to showcase his attacking prowess, contributing goals and assists and adapting to the demands of top-flight football. His time at the club was characterized by his energetic displays and ability to impact games from wide areas, further solidifying his reputation (Wikipedia).
Heart of Midlothian
Following two successful seasons with Livingston, Alan Forrest signed for Heart of Midlothian in July 2022. This transfer saw him join another established Scottish Premiership club, offering him the chance to play in European competitions and challenge for higher league positions. At Hearts, Forrest has maintained his role as a dynamic wide player, utilizing his pace and directness to create opportunities for his teammates and contribute to the team's offensive output. His move to Tynecastle underscored his continued progression and his ability to perform consistently at a high level within Scottish football.
Playing style
Alan Forrest is primarily known for his attributes as a wide midfielder or winger, a role that capitalizes on his pace, dribbling, and work rate. His playing style is characterized by directness and a willingness to engage defenders, aiming to create space or deliver dangerous balls into the penalty area.
Attacking Attributes
Forrest's offensive game is built around his ability to run at defenders. He possesses good acceleration and agility, allowing him to beat opponents in one-on-one situations. His dribbling often involves quick changes of direction and close control, enabling him to navigate tight spaces on the flank. Once in advanced positions, he is capable of delivering crosses, both whipped and drilled, into central areas for strikers. According to data available on platforms like FBref, his involvement in progressive carries and successful dribbles often highlights his contribution to moving the ball into dangerous attacking zones. He is also known for his intelligent movement off the ball, finding pockets of space to receive passes and initiate attacks.
Defensive Contributions and Work Rate
Beyond his attacking duties, Forrest is recognized for his significant defensive work rate. Operating in wide areas, he is diligent in tracking back, helping his full-back, and contributing to pressing schemes. This commitment to defensive duties makes him a valuable asset in systems that require all outfield players to contribute to regaining possession. His energy levels allow him to maintain this intensity throughout a match, making him a consistent presence in both phases of play.
Comparison to Similar Players
In terms of playing style, Forrest can be compared to other industrious wide players in the Scottish game, such as Ryan Christie during his time at Celtic or even a younger James Forrest, given his directness and goal threat from wide areas. While possessing his unique attributes, the common thread is the blend of offensive output with a strong commitment to the defensive demands of a modern wide player.
Achievements & honours
Alan Forrest's career has seen him contribute to team successes, particularly during his time in the lower leagues of Scottish football and during cup runs with Premiership clubs. While individual accolades are less common for players in his specific role, his impact has been significant in the context of his teams' achievements.
Club Honours
Forrest has been part of squads that have achieved promotion and competed in significant cup finals. His most notable team honours include:
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Ayr United | Scottish League One (Promotion) | 2016-17 |
| Ayr United | Scottish League One (Promotion) | 2017-18 |
| Livingston FC | Scottish League Cup (Runner-up) | 2020-21 |
Individual Milestones
Throughout his career, Forrest has reached personal milestones through his consistent appearances and goal contributions. While specific individual awards are not widely documented, his longevity and consistent selection for various clubs speak to his reliability and quality as a professional footballer. His transfer to Heart of Midlothian in 2022 represented a significant career progression, allowing him to test himself at a higher competitive level and participate in European club competitions, an achievement in itself for many Scottish players.
International career
Alan Forrest has not yet received a senior international cap for the Scotland national football team as of May 2026. While he has been a consistent performer in the Scottish Premiership, competition for places in the national squad, particularly in wide attacking positions, is often strong.
Forrest's youth career saw him represent Scotland at various age-group levels, which is a common pathway for promising Scottish talents. These experiences at youth international level provide valuable exposure to different playing styles and competition, aiding a player's development. However, making the step up to the senior national team requires sustained exceptional form at club level and often depends on the tactical preferences of the national team manager.
The Scottish national team setup, overseen by the Scottish Football Association, continuously monitors players performing in the Premiership and abroad. While Forrest's energetic displays and goal contributions for clubs like Heart of Midlothian are noted, earning a senior call-up remains a significant challenge. Players like Forrest, with their blend of pace, dribbling, and work rate, could potentially offer a different dimension to the national side, especially in games requiring direct attacking play or a high press. Continued strong performances in the Premiership, particularly in high-profile matches and European competitions, would be key for him to potentially attract the attention of the national team selectors in the future.
What makes Alan Forrest stand out
Alan Forrest stands out primarily due to his relentless work rate and direct attacking style, particularly from wide areas. He possesses a distinctive ability to combine offensive threat with a significant defensive contribution, a trait highly valued in modern football.
One of his key standout traits is his consistency in delivering high-energy performances. Whether it’s making lung-busting runs down the flank, tracking back to dispossess an opponent, or pressing defenders, Forrest maintains a high intensity throughout matches. This stamina and commitment make him a challenging opponent for full-backs and a reliable asset for his team's tactical setup.
Furthermore, his direct approach to attacking situations often creates problems for opposition defenses. Instead of intricate passing, Forrest frequently looks to drive at defenders, utilizing his dribbling skills and pace to gain an advantage, which can lead to goal-scoring opportunities or dangerous crosses. This willingness to commit defenders makes him an effective outlet and a player who can change the tempo of an attack.
"Alan's energy levels are incredible, and he's always looking to make something happen. That directness is a real asset."