Holt urges Livi to ‘embrace and enjoy’ top-of-the-table clash at Tynecastle

Livingston manager Gary Holt has encouraged his players to relish their top-of-the-table clash with Hearts after earning the right to go to Tynecastle with confidence.

Hearts have streaked into a five-point lead after winning their first five Ladbrokes Premiership games but Holt enjoys a similar record after taking nine points from a possible nine since he replaced Kenny Miller.

Livi sit level on points with Celtic in third place after their first five games back in the top flight and Holt, pictured, wants his men to feed off the atmosphere of a packed Tynecastle today.

“It’s going to be difficult, they are riding high after five wins out of five,” he said. “We are under no illusions about how hard it’s going to be. But we want to embrace it, enjoy it, we want to go there and experience the crowd and stadium and put on a good show and stamp our authority on the game.

“I’ve said to the players, and it’s something I have spoken about it since I came in, they have earned the right to go to these places and play these teams, so why have a fear or a doubt or any negativity surrounding it?

“Go and enjoy it and play with a smile on your face. We are giving you the environment and confidence to go and do that. It’s an occasion to go and enjoy. If you can’t enjoy playing in front of a full house on a good surface, with two teams that are full of confidence, then you’re in the wrong game.”

The West Lothian side defied the critics last season to secure consecutive promotions and Holt has been happy to see his players are still determined to prove themselves all over again.

“They have earned the right but now it’s about proving themselves at this level,” he said.

“Thankfully for us as staff, they are embracing it and they want to prove to themselves that they are good enough to be there and hopefully stay there.”