WE LIV ON QUALITY STREET

Hardie: Classy Lions prove you don’t need to spend

RYAN HARDIE insists Livingston intend to continue giving the Championship’s big spenders a run for their money.

The on-loan Rangers striker believes the promotion-chasing Lions are proof success can be achieved on a shoestring.

A trip to Dumbarton looms this afternoon and Hardie is aiming to cement second spot in the table.

He said: “An argument could be made for Livingston not having as big a budget as some Championship clubs but if you take one look inside our dressing room then all you see is quality.

“We have enough talent here to get to the play-offs and I don’t think we’d swap any of the players here for any others in the league.

“We are where we are on our own merits and now we just need to keep it going and continue playing the way we have been. I’ve heard comments that we are a long-ball side but anyone who says that obviously hasn’t seen us play.”

David Hopkin’s side sit six points ahead of third-placed Morton in the race for play-off berths and Hardie’s six goals since arriving in January have aided their surge up the table.

The 21-year-old believes team-spirit and growing confidence have been the key to their fine form.

He said: “There is real momentum within the club. We are on a run of nine games unbeaten so things are going well. The biggest thing which stood out when I arrived at the club was the atmosphere within the dressing room.

“Every dressing room is different but the one at Livingston is such as happy environment and the manager has a lot to do with that.

“The boys in the dressing room have been the biggest surprise because they have made me feel so welcome.

“It has allowed me to adapt quickly and I knew a few of the boys already so that made it easier.”

Dumbarton boss Stevie Aitken has backed his side to bounce back from the double whammy of last weekend’s Challenge Cup Final defeat and a midweek 5-0 hammering at St Mirren.

The Sons sit in the relegation play-off slot, seven points adrift of safety.

And Aitken said: “Tuesday night’s result was a sore one and coming so soon after the cup final it was bruising.

“St Mirren are the league champions and played like it. We clearly suffered a backlash from the final but, for effort, I can’t fault my team.

“It will be another very hard game with Livingston. But we are capable of competing with any Championship team and will be giving it 100 per cent.”

Anyone who says we are a long-ball side just hasn’t seen us play RYAN HARDIE