Alan Forrest says the chance to play regular European football was a big factor behind his transfer to Hearts.
The winger has joined Robbie Neilson's side off the back of impressive form at fellow Premiership side Livingston. He's started life in maroon in impressive fashion, scoring twice during a 4-0 win over FC Europa during their Spanish training camp. More friendlies against Bonnyrigg Rose, Tranmere Rovers, Preston North End and Stoke City awaits before league business starts against Ross County on July 30th.
Hearts also have a Europa League play-off final which if lost, will still mean Europa Conference League group stage football until Christmas. It was a big reason behind Forrest's move, telling Edinburgh Evening News: “The lads have all been very welcoming. It was good that we all went away to Spain for a week right at the start, which gave me a chance to get to know everybody a bit better. Everybody has been really good with me.
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"The chance to play European football is massive for me. I feel it’s an opportunity for me to try and kick-on my career, with those games coming up.
"Hearts did well in the league, so we’ll be looking to keep that up as well as playing European football. The boys know it will be tough, but we have a big squad of players and everyone is back, ready and looking forward to it.
“The squad is really good and everybody has come back in good shape. We’ve got a really good squad here and I think we need that with European football and our aim to do well in the league.
"It’s important. Healthy competition for places will help kick everyone on. Me included.
“Over the last couple of years, playing in the Premiership has been big for me, especially last season. I managed to add numbers to my game.
"I feel as if I have progressed over the last couple of seasons in the top flight. It’s now about kicking on again and I feel this move is a good one to test myself at this level. It has started well and long may it continue.
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