Boss backs Efe to lead Livvy’s top-six assault
Efe Ambrose can help inspire Livingston to a top-six finish, Gary Holt believes.
The former Celtic and Hibs defender made his Lions debut at Easter Road yesterday where he helped his new employers pick up a point.
“When you consider Efe hasn’t played for over a year, I thought he was very good,” said the Livingston boss.
“He didn’t look like he was tiring and he wasn’t asking to get taken off.
“That is a testament to him, to his quality and to his professionalism.
“His defensive qualities are excellent and they will come to the fore the longer he is with us.
“He only arrived this week but was just desperate to play football so we got him involved today.
“Now we will work with him in training and he will take on board the pictures we paint more easily than maybe some of the younger ones.”
Holt expects Ambrose’s experience and enthusiasm to benefit his younger colleagues.
“His professionalism will rub off on them and help us in our aims; hopefully we can finish top six,” said the manager.
“We are not looking at other teams’ results because we can’t affect them.
“I said to the players, try to win the match and if you can’t do that then make sure you don’t get beaten and we weren’t.”
Holt also had praise for keeper Robby Mccrorie, whom Livingston picked up on loan from Rangers last month. “Robby was brilliant,” he said.
“With Ryan Schofield, who was excellent against Kilmarnock last Sunday, we have two young guys who are pushing each other.
“It is a nice problem for me to have and there are no hidden agendas, they will both get game time.
“With a bit of luck we will get into the top six so Robby would be out for the Rangers match which would let Ryan in.
“I am buzzing right now for the whole team because to have gone a goal behind against Hibs and show the character and desire to come back speaks volumes for the boys.
“We could have got over-run at times but we stuck to our game plan and got the reward.”