Livi chiefs thrash out a budget to seal Hoppy stay
BY ALAN MARSHALL LIVINGSTON’S board met yesterday in bid to thrash out a Premiership budget that could convince David Hopkin to stay on for their top-flight return.
The Lions boss is out of contract at the West Lothian outfit this summer and is bookies’ favourite to take over at Carlisle United after catching the eye with back-to-back promotions.
Hopkin has asked the Almondvale board to do their sums before meeting them later this week to talk over his future.
But director John Ward remains optimistic the 47-year-old will stay.
He said: “David has requested that we put together his player budget and plans for next season then we are due to have a proper sit down with him at the end of the week.
“It’s difficult because he’s in everyone’s thoughts just now and that’s because he has done a remarkable job.
“But he has never indicated anything other than he’s got plans for Livingston for next season.
“We had a long board meeting all afternoon, looking at the figures and what needs to be done to the ground and other stuff to prepare for going up.
“Promotion has brought different problems for us and we are new to some of it but we will work hard to ensure Hoppy knows the budget when we meet.”
Meanwhile, Lions legend Jim Leishman knows all about shaking up Scottish football as the man who guided the club into Europe.
But he reckons Hopkin’s success has granted him immortality at Livi.
Giant images of a celebrating Leishman still adorn the walls of the Tony Macaroni Arena after he secured a third-placed finish in the club’s maiden season in the old Scottish Premier League in 2002.
But staff at Livi may just need to free up wall space for another portrait.
Leish said: “Any special achievement needs a special leader. David has brought together a group, moulded them into something terrific and the club have reaped the benefits.
“He’ll be on cloud nine and it’ll live for him forever, that’s immortality.
“It’s one of the biggest achievements in the club’s history.”