David Martindale believes Alan Forrest will have bigger clubs aiming to sign him

Livingston manager David Martindale believes bigger clubs than Dundee United will be trying to sign Alan Forrest after the Tannadice club were linked with a move for the attacker.

Newspaper reports claim that United are to make a pre-contract offer to Forrest, who reaches the end of his Livingston deal in the summer.

The player has been in strong form of late, with two goals and two assists in the last month, and Martindale believes that his ability is likely to see him catch the eye of others.

The Livi boss said: “To be fair, and I don’t mean this disrespectfully to Dundee United, I think Alan is going to have bigger clubs interested in him this summer.

“That’s not being disrespectful to Dundee United, they are a big club.

“I think there will be bigger clubs interested but I think we have a wee chance of keeping Alan.”

Martindale believes that while he may be up against sides with more resources while trying to persuade Forrest where his future lies, the player himself is the type of person who will put football first and that may convince him to stay at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

“It’s okay saying finances in football but there’s also a big case for the environment and letting yourself grow and develop as a player,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of boys move on from clubs and they make that extra money but it doesn’t go quite right.

“There’s a lot to be said for the environment and if there’s one player in the building where I think finances don’t get taken into the equation, it’s Alan Forrest. 100%.”

Forrest had the opportunity to discuss a January move as Callum Davidson revamped his St Johnstone squad but opted to remain at the club he joined from Ayr United in 2020.

“Alan could have moved to St Johnstone in the January window for a lot more money than he gets at Livingston,” Martindale said. “He came in and spoke to me and said he didn’t want to leave Livingston, it wasn’t about the money. So fair play to Alan.

“I think we’ve still got a wee chance of keeping Alan but I do believe when Alan’s time comes he’s going to have bigger opportunities elsewhere.”

He’s very, very level-headed. I don’t even know if he’s on social media that much.

At this point Alan’s letting his football do the talking. I think he’s a fairly level-headed stable individual and that’ll remain for the rest of the season.