Exclusive:Scottish Championship winner to 'wait and see' what Hearts future looks like after loan spell
Jambos defender has loved St Johnstone loan spell and will return to Tynecastle with Championship winner medal.
It has been a memorable season for Hearts defender Adam Forrester after helping St Johnstone back to the Scottish Premiership at the first time of asking.
The 21-year-old has made 20 appearances for the Perth side this season as part of a cooperation agreement between the two clubs. Saints confirmed their status as Championship winners when they beat Scottish Cup finalists Dunfermline Athletic at East End Park last month.
They then got their title party underway following a 2-0 home win over Raith Rovers later that week. Forrester has now returned to Tynecastle after the celebrations.
Adam Forrester returning to Hearts with Scottish Championship winners medal
However, the 21-year-old revealed in an exclusive chat with the Evening News that he was yet to have conversations with anyone at the Gorgie club about what his immediate future looks like, prior to leaving Saints. He is still eligible to play for his parent club in their remaining matches this season if required.
The right-back, who will enter the final year of his Hearts’ contract this summer, said: “I'm not too sure, I've not heard anything on that, so we'll just need to wait and see what happens.”
The academy graduate, who made 34 appearances in all competitions for the Jambos last season, has had plenty of messages from people at Tynecastle, including head coach Derek McInnes, to congratulate him on his title win. He now hopes it has given him a good footing to get back into the first team next season.
“It's my first full season in professional football,” added Forrester. “And to win a medal at the end, that was pretty special. I've played in different positions at points this year, in a different style, so I felt like I've come and learnt a lot.
“Hopefully [I can get back in the Hearts first team], because when I got a taste of it last year, I had a fair few games and I enjoyed it. Hopefully I can maybe go back and fight for my place there.”
Forrester will be joined by St Johnstone teammate Josh McPake next season, with the winger having agreed a pre-contract move to Tynecastle. The former Rangers player agreed a three-year deal with the capital club in January which will begin this summer.
“It'll be good to see him coming in the summer as well,” added Forrester. “I'm looking forward to seeing him in pre-season.”
The learning experience at McDiarmid Park for the Jambos loanee has obviously been heavily influenced by Saints head coach Simo Valakari. The charismatic Finn has been at the forefront of their title push and Forrester says he has enjoyed working for him.
He has experienced a different style of management to what he has had so far in his fledgling career and believes that will serve him in good stead going forward. “He [Valakari] has been very good,” added Forrester. “I'd say I've learnt a lot from him. It's a different way of coaching to what I've maybe been used to, but I've enjoyed working under him.”
‘Anyone can beat anyone’ - Championship challenges have helped Forrester grow as a player
On the difficulty of the Scottish Championship as a league and what he has gained from playing regularly in it, Forrester commented: “It's a very, very tough league to play in. On any given day a team can beat anyone, it's quite a tight league and every game's tough. I've enjoyed it and there have been some difficult games in there.”
On the prospect of potentially lining up against St Johnstone next season, the full-back added: “It'll probably be a bit strange, but if it comes to it then I'll probably be looking forward to coming back and seeing everyone in the club.”
Finally, the young defender remarked on the unusual situation he found himself in where he was challenging for a league title with his loan club while his parent club were also competing for league honours. Hearts remain top of the Scottish Premiership with just four rounds of fixtures remaining as they aim to become the first club outside of Celtic or Rangers to win the top flight trophy since 1985.
“It's a bit crazy,” said Forrester. “I've obviously been watching most of their games and I'm hoping they can go on and do it because it'll be a special season for them as well.
“I know winning trophies doesn't come around a lot in careers, so to do it with the Saints and get them promoted again, to get them back up, those are memories I'll have. It's a good year.”