The Scotsman

Mcgovern eyes No 1 spot at Livingston

- Anthony Brown

Ex-northern Ireland goalkeeper Michael Mcgovern is determined to become Livingston's No 1 as he bids to banish the "frustratio­n" of making just one appearance in the last three years.

The 39-year-old joined the bottom-of-the-table Lions on loan from Premiershi­p rivals Hearts last week to provide competitio­n and cover for Shamal George after Jack Hamilton suffered an injury that could keep him out until March.

Mcgovern - who won 32 caps for his country and featured at Euro 2016 - has not played since being given a one-off run-out for Norwich in an FA Cup tie at Wolves in February 2022, but he is adamant he is not resigned to being a back-up keeper for what remains of his career.

"I've got some stiff competitio­n with the other goalkeeper­s but I've come here to try and get in the team and play," he said.

"At Hearts, I wasn't playing and recently I haven't even been on the bench because Craig Gordon's back fit so this is a better opportunit­y for me here.

"It's been difficult. At Norwich, I was going in every day trying to get in the team, same at Hearts. I wasn't just happy to pick up my wages, I wanted to contribute.

"Butit'shardsomet­imesas a keeper because only one can play. In my last season at Norwich I was up against Angus Gunn, a Scotland internatio­nal, and Tim Krul, a Holland internatio­nal.

"And then I went to Hearts and I was up against Craig and Zander Clark, two Scotland internatio­nals, so it's been tough. It's been frustratin­g not to play because I'm desperate to play and contribute to a team and get that feeling back on a Saturday so that's my aim here."

 ?? ?? Michael Mcgovern: ‘Difficult’
Michael Mcgovern: ‘Difficult’

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