Manager will give Livi time to get up to speed

LIVINGSTON manager Gary Holt expected the first month of the season to be a “war of attrition” after the long break and reduced build-up.

But he has reminded his players to deliver 90 minutes of the desire and endeavour they are renowned for when they host Hibernian tomorrow.

Holt felt his players started slowly in their opening Scottish Premiership encounter at St Mirren, which they lost 1-0.

Holt said: “We can’t get over-critical because – we won’t use it as an excuse – but it’s only the fourth game after five months off.

“It will take a wee bit of time, we knew that, we knew there would be some bumps in the road this first month. But if we play as well as we did second half then we won’t be too far away.

“We have pushed them as hard as we can to get them up to speed but normally you have played eight games before you get a league game in with pre-season friendlies and the League Cup.

“We knew this first month was going to be a war of attrition. I have looked at all the games at the weekend and I don’t see too many that were 100 miles an hour, hustle and bustle. And the atmosphere changes, there’s no-one here and that will affect the players.

“I think it’s going to take a few games. When this first month is out and we have played six games and everybody is right up to match tempo, it will be a better indication. You just hope you are not too far away.”

However, Holt expects improvement against a Hibs side who started their season with victory over Kilmarnock.