Top six spot and chance of Europe will lift squad
For years now, Livingston have preached the mantra of not getting too high after a win or too low following a defeat.
It’s a mantra that has worked and served them well as they continue to punch well above their weight within the game. But it will now face its most severe test.
After a wait of 17 years, the Lions made it back to a major cup final on Sunday as they tackled St Johnstone for the Betfred Cup trophy.
That they lost was disappointing. That they simply didn’t perform made it all the more galling.
Nobody, of course, wants to lose a cup final. But if you can perform, give it everything, play well and simply be beaten by the better side on the day, defeat becomes that wee bit easier to take.
There will be regrets, there will be self-reflection and no doubt there will be an understanding and acceptance from everyone that they could have done better.
Sometimes, you have to lose a big game in order to truly understand what it takes to win one.
Maybe that was the case for Livi. Maybe not. But for whatever reason, they were unable to take control of the game and produced a poor display on the grand stage.
However, while the loss was a blow, it needn’t be a crushing one with still so much to play for this season.
Reaching a cup final, even if it ends in disappointment, is nothing more than a welcome and added bonus for a club like Livingston. Cementing themselves amongst the top six teams in the country would be the real achievement this season.
The Lions are all but guaranteed a top-half finish in the Premiership for the second straight season. It’s the first time in the club’s history that will happen. That’s the real story of the campaign.
But they’re also very much in the mix for a European place. Fourth place would confirm it, fifth place – given the uncertainty over whether the Scottish Cup will be played to a finish this term – might also be good enough. They’re sitting pretty just now but they can’t afford to wallow in the disappointment of the cup final loss.
It’s easier said than done, but the atmosphere within the changing room, created by David Martindale and his staff, is one that lends itself to getting over the negatives.
They don’t take themselves too seriously but also know when it’s time to knuckle down and get to work.
There’s just eight games left in what has been a weird and wonderful season and they have a chance to really finish with a flourish. It would be a crying shame if they slipped up now.
Cementing themselves amongst the top six teams would be the real achievement