Hat’s strife for Lions ace Craig
CRAIG HALKETT’S Livi team-mates joked he was on a hat-trick after scoring at either end in last week’s defeat to St Mirren.
But the only treble the defender wants is three points at Morton today to earn a first Championship win of the season.
Halkett put through his own net to give the Buddies the lead before scoring just six minutes later to make amends.
But Gavin Reilly’s double sealed a victory for the Paisley side. Halkett said: “It was a bit of a bizarre game last week.
“At half-time a few of the boys made a joke and said I was on a hat-trick.
“But it wasn’t something I wanted to have a laugh about. It wasn’t great to score an own goal but when I netted at the other end I felt like I had redeemed myself.
“I’ve never scored hat-trick in my career – hopefully it comes one day. It was just disappointing the way the second half went but we move on.
“We’ve had good results in the two cup competitions but there shouldn’t be any difference and we want to replicate the cup results in the league because that is our bread and butter.”
Livingston boss David Hopkin returns to his local club where had two spells as a player and youth coach before his move down the M8.
Morton assistant Craig McPherson said: “I know David because we played in the same boys club league.
“Everyone knew from a young age he was a special player. He left Morton for Chelsea the year before I went to Cappielow but I know him well.
“We played Livi in the Challenge Cup and they thoroughly deserved to beat us. It’s still fresh in our minds and we want to produce a better performance.
“He’ll want to come back and show how far he has progressed but it’s up to us to make it uncomfortable for him on his return.”