Livi are sieging the day
Livingston loan star Bobby Burns claims a siege mentality and boss Gary Holt are the secrets of his side’s top-flight success.
New boys Livi sit fifth in the Premiership table, ahead of Rangers and Aberdeen and just four points behind leaders Hearts.
Burns, on loan from the Jambos after moving to Tynecastle from Glenavon in the summer, reckons Holt has been key since replacing Kenny Miller in August.
He said: “Gary is a really good manager and has really impressed everyone with the way he works.
“He’s a great motivator and has been brilliant with me even when I haven’t been playing, giving me very good advice.
“Hopefully I can play more for him in the weeks ahead.
“The club, as a whole, was very welcoming when I arrived from Hearts.
“There is not a lot of staff but it is a tight-knit group. The kit man is like the gym instructor as well but that creates a siege mentality. There is a really good group of lads and togetherness.
“The mentality is great at the club and opposition sides have struggled against us so far.”
Northern Ireland Under21 midfielder Burns came off the bench in the 1- 0 win over Rangers last month - to the delight of his family.
The 19- year- old said: “Beat ing Rangers was fantastic. A lot of my family are big Celtic fans so I had a lot of texts after the game.
“It was a great experience to play in that match and if I can get more game time I feel I can improve.
“Since that win people have asked if the club has changed its aim for the season but the target for Livingston is still to stay up.”
Burns, who could be recalled by Hearts from his season-long loan in January, added: “I made a few appearances for Hearts but they said I wouldn’t get as much game time so I’ve gone to Livingston and that has been great.
“Both teams have done well. Both had tough preseasons and that has helped because we’re fitter than other teams.”