Leaving Rangers was Craig’s best decision
Livingston captain Craig Halkett admits he feared his decision to leave Rangers had spectacularly backfired after relegation to League 1 with the Lions left him fretting over his future as a fulltime footballer.
Two years on, and with David Hopkin’s side just 90 minutes away from clinching a return to the Premiership for the first time since 2006, the defender insists leaving the comfort and security of Ibrox has been proven right.
Halkett and his Livingston team-mates are in the driving seat to earn promotion at Partick Thistle’s expense ahead of today’s play-off final second leg at Firhill after coming from behind to win Thursday’s clash 2-1.
The 22-year-old has now racked up 103 competitive appearances for the West Lothian outfit and insists his switch to Livingston has been the making of him.
He said: “Nights like Thursday make it all worth it.
“When you’re at a team like Rangers or Celtic, you’ve got all the facilities, the best coaches, the best of everything and you think it’s best to stay there.
“But, for myself, it was about playing games. I was getting older at 19 and I just wanted to play football and nights like Thursday make you enjoy it even more.
“When we were relegated to League 1 I thought: ‘What have I done here?’. That could be your football career over as such.
“The club didn’t know if it was going to stay full-time or not, but to get here is worth it and I’m delighted for everyone involved at the club.
“I still keep in touch with a few guys from my youth days, but none of them are playing full-time football. I think that’s credit to myself as well, that you want to be ambitious and be the best you can.
“If I become a Premiership player, then that would justify my decision in leaving Rangers.”
Livingston boss Hopkin has worked wonders on a shoestring, with a never-say-die combative approach the bedrock of the Lions’ success this season.
Halkett insists the players relish playing under the former Scotland, Crystal Palace and Leeds United midfielder. Halkett added: “He gave me my first break in senior football, and you develop by playing games.
“I think man-management is the key to his success.
“We do a lot of training on the park, but once we come into the building, he likes to take you into the office and tell you things you’re doing well, and things you’re not doing so well.”