PATIENCE KEY FOR McCRORIE TO FULFIL HIS No 1 AMBITION

PUTTING a positive spin on a predicament, Robby McCrorie could not have handpicked a better bench than Livingston’s to sit on for months.

The on-loan Rangers goalkeeper’s appearance against St Mirren on Saturday was only his second since losing his place to Max Stryjek in October.

But while McCrorie would naturally rather be in the thick of the action, the view from the sidelines has still been impressive.

He watched the team rack up an unbeaten sequence of 14 games, as well as knock out Ayr United, Ross County and St Mirren to reach the Betfred Cup final.

In mid-January, the Scotland Under-21 keeper came in from the cold to contribute to a 2-2 draw against Celtic. But, despite his recall at Paisley, it is expected McCrorie will revert to a supporting role for Sunday’s Hampden final, with Stryjek preferred by boss David Martindale to face St Johnstone.

As quick as he is with a reflex save, McCrorie (right) also reacts to any negative remark about his season by swiftly rattling off the positives.

‘I’ve loved the buzz about this place and being part of it,’ he said. ‘I’ve enjoyed playing against Celtic, the team has been excellent, the run has been incredible.

‘This is a bit of history for the club. Everyone is doing their bit. If it’s me on the bench, I support who’s playing.

‘We’ve an incredible team spirit. I came for the second half of last season and this environment was the big draw to come back.

‘There are no egos, we all graft and we’re in it together. I love being here and want to help the club have success until the end of the season.’

A dozen Premiership appearances is the matchday evidence for Rangers when they run progress checks on the 22-year-old. But McCrorie insists the setbacks which sit alongside his exposure to top-flight football will be just as valuable to realising his Ibrox ambitions.

He said: ‘The start of the season when I got more games under my belt will help me going forward.

‘I’ve then had to sit on the bench and it’s the first time that’s happened to me.

‘I see it as an opportunity to work on things, support my team-mates and improve myself as much as I can.

‘I feel stronger for it, to be honest. I’d love to go through my whole career and be first choice every week, but that isn’t going to happen.

‘So this is the bit where I feel you grow the most, the times when things don’t go your way and you learn most about yourself. The whole point of a loan is to get new experiences. I hope to have a long career, but I’ll never stop learning.’

Stryjek wasn’t the only first pick missing out for Livingston ahead of the final, with Martindale taking no chances with the fitness of captain Marvin Bartley and top scorer Scott Robinson.

Try as Martindale might to insist on utter focus, the manager conceded it was easier said than done for the players with one eye on Sunday’s showpiece.

McCrorie said: ‘Ask anyone, it would be amazing to play in a major cup final. This is a chance not all players get and everyone wants to be involved. ‘We have the same mindset that we want to do well for Livingston and win the game. ‘I know I’ll need to put in the work in training, then the gaffer decides who plays. No matter what happens, I support the team any way I can.’ Livingston went in front when the ball cannoned off the unfortunate Conor McCarthy of St Mirren. But there was no shame for McCrorie in conceding an equaliser to Cammy MacPherson.

The midfielder’s sweet 25-yarder was aided by a wind that played greater havoc on the entertainment as the game wore on.

MacPherson’s contribution was important for the Buddies as boss Jim Goodwin patches up a starting side for their top-six challenge.

St Johnstone are surging forward and Dundee United will look to recover from yesterday’s 4-1 mauling to Rangers, while a third consecutive draw highlighted how much Saints are missing Kristian Dennis, Eamonn Brophy, Jamie McGrath and Jake Doyle-Hayes.

‘It shows we’ve come a long way that we’re not happy we didn’t get all three points,’ said MacPherson. ‘It keeps us in the race, but it’s so tight and we need wins again.

‘Top six could be a bit of history everyone wants a part of. Hopefully a win at home to Motherwell on Wednesday can help us.’