The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
McGlynn proud of achievements during tough spell at Livi
John McGlynn insists he can look back with satisfaction at the job he did under difficult circumstances at Scottish Cup opponents Livingston.
The 58-year-old this weekend takes his Raith Rovers side back to Almondvale, where he spent 15 turbulent months in charge before leaving “by mutual consent” in December 2014.
When he was appointed the previous year, McGlynn was the Lions’ 14th manager in just a decade and his spell included boardroom battles and financial problems.
Just before he departed, the West Lothian outfit – then in the Championship thanks to McGlynn helping them avoid relegation after replacing Richie Burke in September 2013 – were docked five points and fined £10,000 for breaching SPFL rules after failing to pay tax.
However, McGlynn left Livi in the final of the Challenge Cup, which they would go on to win against Alloa, and he is glad to see his old club back thriving in the top flight.
He said: “I was at Livingston for 15 months and during that time I got them to a cup final and kept them up when they were in bother.
“They had a court case hanging over the owner and we got deducted points just before I left as well. It was a difficult time to be there.
“At that time and prior to that, Livingston were changing managers fairly regularly, so I think I did okay under the circumstances.
“They’ve come on in leaps and bounds since then and I’ve got a lot of respect for the people there.
“They won League 1 and the play-offs and have held their own in the top league. They’ve done extremely well.
“Now they’re getting big crowds against Hibs, Hearts, Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen – it just shows you what can be done.”
Raith have battled against selection problems in recent weeks to stay top of League 1 and are now relishing their latest challenge as they attempt to pull off a cup shock.
McGlynn added: “We’re playing a very, very good Premiership team, a team that’s sitting fifth in the table and one who I saw play in their last game against Hibs when they thoroughly deserved their victory.
“They played very well and I think now they’re starting to get a little bit of credit for what they do. Although everyone knows exactly what they’re going to do, it’s still really, really difficult to defend against.
“They certainly should be getting a lot of credit.
“Everyone knows they play a bit of a direct style but that’s not to say there’s anything wrong with that. They’re trying to win games of football, which is what we’re all trying to do, and there’s different ways of doing that.”