Blues LIVI START WITH signs up for Lions TOUGHEST TEST
Livingston will be thrown in at the deep end as they start their first Premiership campaign for 12 years away at defending champions Celtic.
The Lions were handed the toughest possible start to life in the top flight when the fixtures were announced last Friday.
Following their trip to Celtic Park on August 4, they take on Kilmarnock in their first home league game seven days later.
Livi fans will have to get used to their team being inactive during international weeks, while there is also a three-week winter break which comes in following their home game to Aberdeen on December 29.
Games are also subject to the TV schedule and could be moved.
Their first clash against fellow Premiership new boys St Mirren is the third game of the campaign, with the Lions visiting Paisley on August 25.
Other fixtures of note see them host Rangers on September 29 and Celtic on November 10, while their Boxing Day clash is a trip to Dundee.
December could be a key month for Livi’s survival hopes as they have seven fixtures, none of which are against the two Glasgow giants.
The first phase ends as it began with a trip to Celtic Park on April 6, after which the 12-team top flight is split into two groups of six with each team playing a further five games.
Lions defender Declan n Gallagher said Whatsapp went nt wild when news of the fixtures es came out : “As soon as the fixtures es dropped all the messages started d piling in.
“It’s the first time during the e holiday period all the lads have e been awake at 9am. There was s such a buzz.
“There would have been that t sense of excitement regardless s of who we got first but Celtic is s something a bit special.
“It’s going to be a full house and a great experience for everyone associated with the club.” AUGUST: 4 Celtic ( A), 11 Kilmarnock (H), 25 St Mirren (A). SEPTEMBER: 1 Hibernian Cameron Blues became the latest new arrival at Livingston after the former Falkirk youngster penned a two-year deal with the Lions.
The 20-year-old made just nine appearances for the Bairns before his departure but impressed during a loan spell with League Two side Edinburgh City last term.
The midfielder becomes Livi’s sixth new signing of the summer after the arrivals of Craig Sibbald, Steven Saunders, Ricki Lamie, Liam Kelly and Callum Crane.
Interim boss David Martindale admits it is likely that Blues will be sent out on loan.
He said: “I know Cameron had a few options and I’m delighted he has chosen Livingston. He is a dynamic midfielder who can do a job wide or centrally. The twoyear deal allows time to develop and possibly the option of putting him out on loan if needed.
“He fits into the ethos at the club of young, hungry talented players who have the ability and desire to play for Livingston.
“We have a fantastic group of players at the club and Cameron will add to that.”
It’s going to be a full house and a great experience