Alan Forrest talks Hearts future and playing different roles

The 27-year-old spoke about the team's need for consistency, playing different positions and his future.

Here is everything he said:

What was the mood after the semi-final on Sunday?

Yeah - it’s not good, losing any game. But I think it’s one where we’ve been, we’ve had hard games back to back, the Rangers games and the Celtic game. In amongst that we had the Livingston game we played well so, obviously down and about not winning the game, but I think it’s one where we’ve picked ourselves up this week and our full focus has been on Motherwell. 

As a player, how important is it you go into the international break with a win?

Yeah I think that’s massive. That’s what you want. I think as well, especially with the way the table is, everything’s tight so it feels as if you get a positive result tomorrow it changes the dynamics, it changes the look of the table and then you’re going into that break and it’s off the back of the win. So it feels like things are positive again.

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Do you take heart from the fact the league is so congested and that you guys haven’t been as consistent as you'd have wanted to be?

Yeah. I think apart from Rangers Celtic, maybe St Mirren have done a bit better but it feels as if it’s on for the likes of us, Hibs and Aberdeen, they’ll be thinking the same that you’re just a couple of wins away from opening that gap and kicking on and that feels like we’re in that bracket. We’re obviously disappointed we’ve not been able to but at the same time it’s one where we’re still there but as I say, we’re a couple of wins away from the table looking completely different. 

How have you found playing in different positions?

The Livingston game I enjoyed when I was wing-back, I felt as if I was getting a lot of the ball. That game, I think, just the way we were working (or) set-up, it was one where the wing-backs were getting a lot of the ball. It feels as if that worked and that was a positive that game. We were getting down the sides. It’s one where I’ve played it a few times last season as well, so it’s not new to me. Obviously it’s a different shape, it’s not as further forward as it is a winger but it’s still one where I felt as if that Livi game was a positive. I was getting on the ball and still able to go higher up and affect the game. 

How have you found it as players and yourself as a winger coming up teams sitting more deeper and getting a lot of the ball in front of them?

Yeah it’s one for us where, it’s respect to us that if teams come in and sitting in, they know that we’ve got players that can hurt teams. So it’s up to us to play a style around that and combat that. A style for us to take the game to them and change that situation. 

You are in the final year of your contract, has there been any discussions about a contract extension? Have you thought about your future?

There’s been no talk, I've just been fully focused on playing just now. That’s just one where that’s my focus. Every game to try and help the team. That’s my full focus just now and whatever comes with that, if there’s a discussion, but just for me just fully focused on football. 

Is there a point in the season where you will have to think about it?

As I say, if that’s to come, but for me just now it’s been fully focused on the games. If conversations need to come sooner or whatever then that will take place. But it’s just been full focus. 

That adaptability you have shown will always be a good point when sitting down with the club or another club?

Yeah - I just think that whatever’s asked of me, ultimately it’s down to the manager what he sees so if he’s picking me or selecting me for whatever position that is, it feels as if it’s up to me to give my all in whatever position I’m asked to do. It’s just up to me to carry out that as best I can and if I’m able to do that then that will help the team as well so it’s a win win. That’s what I look to do.

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How have you found being at Hearts, the demand and size of the club? Has anything surprised you?

As you say, coming from Ayr and Livi, smaller clubs, the fan base isn’t so big so it is different. It’s more demanding, you see the fans we get at Tynecastle it’s almost 20,000 compared to 3,000 or so at Livi. so it is completely different but it’s one challenge I enjoy. I like that pressure playing in front of the crowd at Tynecastle. I enjoy it and there’s no better feeling. I go back to that Derby game, scoring that goal in front of the fans and everyone buzzing. It was a great feeling, one of the best moments I've had so you have moments like that it's brilliant. 

Do you feel you are approaching your peak years?

Yeah. I’ve been feeling good. It’s one where you’re a wee bit older now, bit more experienced. But feels as if you’re coming into that point where, for me, you want to kick on and go even further. For me, it’s just the same as before, you’re still wanting to bring goals and assists. You still want to just contribute to games as much as you can. Hopefully I'm coming into the years where I can keep doing that and keep scoring, keep assisting. 

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