WE’RE CUP FOR IT
Hopkin: Signs good after run-out in friendlies
Livingston boss David Hopkin says his side’s challenging friendlies will stand them in good stead as the begin their Betfred League Cup bid at home to Partick Thistle on Saturday.
The Lions have faced Premiership opposition in Hearts, Motherwell and Kilmarnock and, despite losing all three games, they have given a decent account of themselves and the boss wants his players to take that form into the competitive action.
However, he’s under no illusions as to the difficulty of the task as they face Alan Archibald’s men at the weekend before making the trip to Paisley to face St Mirren on Tuesday evening.
The boss said: “We’ve played very well in the three games and there’s been a massive improvement in each game and that’s the aim at this stage of the season.
“They’ve been tough games and you change things about a bit to get everyone some game time but the signs are good heading into the Betfred Cup.
“We haven’t scored, but we’ve created plenty of chances which has been good to see. I’m sure the goals will come.”
He added: “Partick Thistle will be a real test for us and they’re a team under Alan Archibald who really like to play football.
“It’s got the potential to be a really good game and I hope the fans come out to watch it.
“He’s got a lot of good players at his disposal and we know it’s going to be a tough game and the same with St Mirren too, who will be looking to be at the top end of the division this season.”
The former Scotland international says that, heading into the season, he has emphasised the need to see a collective effort from his players and wants to see that in the League Cup games before the Championship season starts on August 5.
He commented: “We need to work very hard and stick together as a team. I really think that’s the thing that will get us through this season because it’s going to be a real challenge.
“If we start playing as individuals and focusing on ourselves rather than the team, we’re not going to get very far.
“I’ve said that to the players and they know what I expect from them and that they will all have a role to play this season.
“Being in the Championship is going to be a really tough challenge for us, but if we stick together and work for each other then we can have a successful season.”
Livingston goalkeeper Neil Alexander admits he was sold on a return to the club by head coach David Hopkin’s vision for the future.
The 39-year-old stopper enjoyed a hugely successful first stint at the club, winning two league titles, before being sold to Cardiff City in 2001.
He returns 16 years later at the tailend of his playing career, having racked up a string of league titles, played in a Uefa Cup final and represented Scotland.
But he says it felt good to pull on a Livi jersey once again in their 1-0 friendly defeat at Kilmarnock on Saturday evening.
He said: “It’s been a while but it’s good to call myself a Livingston player once again.
“It’s a familiar place and it’s good to be back here in familiar surroundings. I think it’s very exciting times at this club and I wanted to be part of that and I’m looking forward to the challenge.
“We have a very good, young squad and a very good manager who has really impressed me with his vision for the club and his ideas.
“The conversations that we had leading up to the signing and his thoughts on where he wanted to take the club were so positive that he really made it an easy decision for me to sign for Livingston.”
He added: “It’s a great place for me to be at this stage of my career. For me personally, I was looking forward to just getting back and playing again after I didn’t get any game time at Aberdeen.
“I certainly don’t regret that decision and I enjoyed myself there and it’s a very good football club, it’s just a shame that on a personal level it didn’t work but that’s football and these things happen.”
With a career spanning 21 years, the former Rangers and Hearts goalie is hoping to pass on his knowledge to the club’s young stars and says he wants to bring back success to the Lions.
“I had a very successful spell when I was here the first time, winning two league titles and getting promoted to the top division,” he said.
“It was great to be part of the club at that time and be part of those teams and enjoy success and that’s what I want to hopefully play my part in now, bringing success to the club.
“It’s a young team here and hopefully I can add a bit of experience and game awareness.
“The right time to do things and right time not to do things and hopefully help the younger boys on the game management side of things.
“That just comes through experience, which I have, so hopefully I can pass some of that on to members of the squad.
“I want to give them that confidence and sometimes constructive criticism that is needed so that they can improve as players and ultimately help improve the team.”
He added: “It’s a voice and experience on the pitch. Obviously the manager has his voice in the dressing room but hopefully I can be that voice on the park that just lets everyone calm down or take the game by the scruff of the neck when it’s needed.
“To be fair, we do have a good enough squad here and the guys don’t need held by the hand at all by any means, but I’m just looking to play any kind of positive part for them and the team.”
The veteran keeper is set to make his competitive return to West Lothian this weekend against Partick Thistle in the Betfred League Cup and hopes both he and the squad can take strides forward.
He added: “It was good to get back playing on Saturday. Obviously there was a little bit of rust but I’ve only trained four times and then had the game so it will take a bit of time to get back into the swing of things but I’m really happy with my own performance and from the rest of the lads, too.
“I thought we played some really good football and deserved to get something out of the game, although it’s obviously really just about fitness at this stage and you tend not to focus on the results.”
He went on: “I’m really excited to be part of this squad. There’s a lot of brilliant young players here and that’s all part of what the manager has sold me on.
“This is really a club that has the feeling of moving forward, having won the league last year.
“Nobody is under any illusions, though, we all know it’s going to be a very tough season and there’s plenty of terrific teams in this division but we have lots to look forward to this year.
“I think this is the division that Livingston needs to be in and we have absolutely no fear. We’ll see where this journey takes us but ultimately we have to see staying in the league as being the main aim and being a success.
“We’re going to walk before we run but we know the capability of this team and we’ll be wanting to have a positive start.
“From then, who knows what could happen?”
The boss has his voice in the dressing room but hopefully I can be that voice on the park... that let’s everyone calm down or take the game by the scruff of the neck