Brandon Forbes’ talent was never in doubt.
Rangers spotted it at just SEVEN years old.
However, the journey to professional football can often be a circuitous one.
Hailing from Renfrewshire, Forbes spent three seasons in the Ibrox youth academy before a year at Partick Thistle.
Rather than provide a springboard to the senior game, the schoolboy forward found himself shorn of confidence and rapidly falling out of love with the game. The “pro youth” route is not for everyone.
Instead, he joined his local boys’ club, Thorn Athletic. Under the watchful eye of Mark McGee and Steven McKnight, Forbes lapped up the opportunity to play alongside his mates and his raw ability burned bright once more.
Forbes scored a hat-trick as Thorn Athletic 2006s won the Scottish Cup for the first time in their history in 2023 – defeating Blackburn United 4-1 – before joining United three months later in the wake of a fine trial period.
But all the challenges and road-bumps along the way were rendered worth it on Saturday when, four minutes into his senior professional debut, he produced a thunderous free-kick to secure a 2-1 win for United against Ayr.
“I played for Rangers from seven years old until I was about 10,” recalled Forbes. “Then, I took a year break and went to Partick Thistle.
“I had fallen out with football – if that makes sense – and lost a lot of confidence.
“So, I went back to my boys’ club Thorn Athletic in Renfrewshire for a couple of years before I came to Dundee United, and we won the Scottish Cup.
“Playing with your friends at that kind of level, you can get your confidence back with one game, never mind a couple of years! That’s where I came through and they helped me a lot between professional academies.
“I just built myself back up until we won the Scottish Cup – and that’s where I kicked on.”
Forbes wants to follow in Tangerine footsteps
Given the gifted forward did not navigate those travails alone, Forbes added: “My mum and my sister were at the game [on Saturday]. There was a bit of a teared-up phone call from my mum afterwards!”
Forbes has been a revelation during pre-season, linking up with Jim Goodwin’s senior group and impressing coaches and teammates alike with his confidence, direct running and nerveless finishing ability.
The word “fearless” tends to crop up when you speak to those at the club about Forbes’ progress. The likes of Samuel Cleall-Harding, Owen Stirton and Scott Constable have also been afforded a chance to work with the first-team.
He notes: “You can think of countless names who have come through this academy. I don’t think you can ask for a better staff and set-up to help you come through.”
“Just go for it”
Forbes’ cocksureness shone through when he grabbed the ball in 67th minute on Saturday – a must-win contest balanced at 1-1 – and declared he would be taking the set-piece; around 30 yards from goal, slightly right of centre.
However, Forbes revealed that he had no intention of shooting until receiving some words of encouragement.
He laughed: “I was actually going to cross it, but Ross Graham was screaming, ‘Hit it! Hit it!’
“I was practising at training on Wednesday so I thought I would go for it. It is normally me, Kai (Fotheringham) and Lewis O’Donnell who stay back for 20 minutes just hitting free-kicks, first-time shots and all that stuff.
“I can tell you none of the ones I had in training were as good as that!
“I think that was a one-in-a-lifetime type of thing.”
He added: “I always had the exact same mentality when I was younger to just go for it, there is no point in holding back when you only have one chance – you have to grab it.”
