ALAN FORREST admits he is desperate to step out of the shadow of brother James after completing his move to Livingston.
The 23-year-old has penned a two-year deal on a pre-contract, knocking back interest from Dundee and Partick Thistle to join his older sibling in the Premiership.
After seven seasons with Ayr United, the move will give the Scotland under-21 cap the chance to play against the Celtic winger for the first time ever as a professional.
But, despite also playing on the flanks, he is hopeful of avoiding any comparisons as he strives to make a name for himself.
He said: “I am delighted to have signed for Livi. I have been at Ayr a long time and have had some great times there but I felt it was time for a new challenge.
“I have never played in the Premiership before either, which was a big selling point for me and I am looking forward to it.
“In my time with Ayr, we have played a lot of Premiership clubs, like Rangers, Hibs and St Johnstone, but we have never played against Celtic.
“So it will be good to come up against him in the top-flight.
“We have never played against one another before at all, other than in the back garden or the park when we were younger! So it will be a bit strange.
“Obviously folk are going to talk about James, that’s going to come with it.
“But, for me, I just want to do it myself and set my own targets.
“James has obviously done excellently now for years at the top level but I try not to compare myself to him.
“I just stick to myself and do the best I can.”
Forrest did ask his brother for advice before plumping for Livingston – and he is convinced he made the right choice.
He added: “It was a difficult decision to leave Ayr as I have enjoyed my time at the club and have a lot of friends there, but I thought this was the right time to try something new.
“I spoke to my brother and my dad, as we speak a lot about things. We all thought it was the right move for me.
“Livingston is a good club who, in the last few years, have done well, earning back-to-back promotions and then making themselves a stable Premiership club.
“They have had a good season and I wanted to be part of that.”
