Alan Forrest ignoring critics as he looks to reignite Hearts career

Alan Forrest is intent on ignoring the “outside noise” as he bids to try and get back to his best and re-establish himself in the Hearts side next term.

The 28-year-old winger has endured a difficult campaign in which he has been one of several Jambos players targeted for intense criticism from supporters.

Forrest was handed only his second start of 2025 as interim boss Liam Fox freshened the team up in his first match since taking charge after the sacking of Neil Critchley.

Reflecting on the heat he has received from his own team’s fans this term, the former Livingston attacker said: “For me, it’s just outside noise.

“I think a lot of players are going to get stick from different places. You just try and focus as best as you can on what you can control. I don’t think you can control that.

“It’s just about my performances and when I get the chance to play, it’s just about what I can do. Hopefully, that’s contributing by scoring goals or making goals. I think you’re never going to control the outside noise anyway so I think that’s all I can really do to affect that.”

After scoring in the 3-1 win at Ross County, Forrest could be handed his first Tynecastle start against Motherwell on Saturday since the Conference League draw at home to Moldovan side Petrocub in December when he was barracked mercilessly by a section of the Hearts support before being replaced at half-time.

“I think that was a difficult night for everyone, that game,” said Forrest. “We fell short that night and after we’d got off to such a great start in that tournament. It wasn’t great for anyone. Everyone was hurting from it and I was no different.”

Between Petrocub and County last Saturday, Forrest started only one game – the Scottish Cup win away to St Mirren in February.

“If you’re not playing, you do worry,” said Forrest. “You want to be playing, so you do get frustrated and stuff. It was just about working as hard as I can in training, waiting for the opportunity and luckily I got that on Saturday.”

Forrest started 26 games under Steven Naismith last term as Hearts romped to third place in the William Hill Premiership. The winger won the league’s player of the month award in January 2024 and also earned himself a contract extension until 2026.

Forrest has been restricted to just 16 starts this term as Hearts have sacked two managers and finished in the bottom six, but he is intent on making a better impact next term.

“As a player, you’ve got to back yourself,” he said. “If you get the opportunities, it’s about trying to contribute and make an impact as much as I can. Next season, that’s what I’ll be looking to do. I’ll be looking to make more of an impact than this season.”