Bollan: Lions have the fight, talent and unity we had to be roaring success after going up
BY GORDON PARKS then beat Dundee United – it was a period of momentum the current Livingston side are enjoying at the moment.
“Much of the credit for that start was our fitness coach George McNeill who managed to get the squad into terrific shape – that was a huge asset.
“The management team of Hay, Robertson and Leishman were also key as they had us so organised and playing to our strengths. It’s so similar to the way this side are operating.
“First and foremost we were difficult to beat, our dressing room was close knit, full of good people and very good players. From what I hear Livi have a similar thing in their group. It’s not rocket science, it’s about being organised and playing to your strengths. That’s why Livi are where they are.”
That stomach for the fight is allied with a squad not short of talent, which he’s adamant is yet another hallmark 17 years apart.
Bollan said: “There is a misconception Livi are a gang of players who scrap and use route one to get success but that’s doing them a huge disservice.
“Boys like Scott Pittman, Scott Robinson, Kyle Jacobs and Steven Lawless would take issue with that. Our squad had Oscar Rubio, Marvin Andrews, Stuart Lovell, David Bingham, Barry Wilson and talents like David Fernandez, Massimiliano Caputo and Quino Cabrera. “We had g o o d players but it was all underpinned by a fantastic work ethic.
“We all knew what we wanted and knew we had to work together. It’s a massive thing to have that togetherness inside a dressing room – we were all good friends and socialised together.
“That helped on a Saturday as if your mate was in trouble you’d be straight in to bail him out.
“Even though we were all good pals, anyone not pulling their weight would soon be told. That is the Livingston of my time and the Livingston of the moment.”
Livi make no apology for a no-frills approach – and it’s that simplicity which he believes can drive the club to greater heights.
Bollan said: “Football was a simple game back in 2001 and it’s the same now – it’s managers and players who complicate it.
“The management team we had asked us to play to a gameplan and it looks to be the players are carrying that out to the letter under Holt and his assistant Davie Martindale just as we did under Davie and Jim.
“I watched Livingston against Berwick earlier this season and nothing’s changed in their approach from their promotion-winning campaign.
“All that’s happened in the last few months is they’ve grown stronger. They defend with their lives, press with an incredible intensity and take chances when they arrive.
“They also meet challenges head on and that’s the difference. It’s only with a genuine togetherness you can do that.
“The league table doesn’t tell lies, they are sitting on 10 points, the same as Celtic. They’ve had a fantastic start. They’ll know it’s a long, hard season ahead but this is a side that will win their fair share of battles.
“The next two weeks don’t get easier – first they have Hearts then Rangers but neither of these teams will relish these games.
“They also have their artificial pitch, which will be worth a few points during the campaign, so why shouldn’t Livi believe they can keep this run going.
“It’ll take more than just ability to stop them.”