Adam Forrester reflects on Hearts journey from Lowland League to European football and what surprised him most
The full back was given his big break by Liam Fox in the caretaker's first stint in charge and hasn't looked back.
This time last year Adam Forrester was chilling on holiday after the conclusion of the Lowland League. Twelve months on and the Hearts kid is pinching himself after the big break to end them all.
The Jambos academy product hasn't looked back since being handed his first team chance when Liam Fox took caretaker charge for the first time back in September.
In that time he's made five appearances in Europe including against Victor Klaesen and co at Copenhagen, played in a Scottish Cup semi final at Hampden and enjoyed a total of 33 top team run outs.
Forrester admits he owes Fox a lot after he stepped up from B team duties - and took the kid right back with him.
It's no wonder he hopes the interim boss remains a key part of Derek McInnes ' staff should, as expected, the Kilmarnock boss take the reigns.
Asked to sum up his season, Forrester said: 'Probably after the game on Sunday I'll sit down and reflect. It's been an outstanding season to make my breakthrough and play as many games as I have. It's surprised me but one I've really enjoyed.
'Foxy gave me my debut. I know the way he wants to play and that gave me confidence to go out and play my own game.
'Then when Neil Critchley got the job, I just tried to repay his faith that he's shown in me and try to play well every week.
'Obviously, Foxy got the job again and then I just know how he wants to play and that gives me confidence.
'Hopefully he will still be around next season. He's a guy that shows a lot of trust in me. He's a guy that I can lean on for advice as well. So, hopefully he stays in about it.
"I was actually on my holidays this time last year because the Lowland League was finished!
'Obviously, this a lot different. You maybe get away with certain stuff playing at that level but in the first team, you always need to be focused and ready for any scenario that pops up.
'What's surprised me? Maybe how well I've fitted in, that's what surprised me because from an outside look at it, most players look at the first-team challenge as being quite daunting after not having much experience or whatever. After my debut, I just felt like I belonged on the first team stage.
"Foxy made it easy because I knew the way he wanted to play but playing with top players in and around you makes it that much easier as well.
"I knew if I played well in my debut and I got another few games, I'd maybe stay in and around squads. But to start as many games as I have kind of surprised me but I really enjoyed it and I always backed myself pretty well.
'Next season will probably be my first pre-season with the first team. So, that'll be exciting. Then I'll just try and impress whoever the next manager is.'
It's just the start of the journey for Forrester who knows he needs to build on his big break. That involves working on his speed and strength in pre-season after being given a rude top level awakening by some wingers he admits he couldn't get near.
Asked who his most difficult opponent was in the past 12 months, Forrester said: 'The European game in Copenhagen, the Brazilian boy, Robert.
'Another one was Duk at Aberdeen. Strong, fast, couldn't really get near him. Since I've been playing, those are the two that have been the most difficult.
"Obviously, during the season, it's hard to be in the gym a lot because of how many games I've had. But this pre-season will be about getting faster and stronger. That'll be my main aim.'
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