NO PRESSURE FOR HOPKIN
DAVID HOPKIN insists the pressure is now off his Livingston side after they upset the odds to see off Dundee United and set up a crack at the Premiership.
The Lions boss claims he is not bothered if they now come through against either Ross County or Partick Thistle – with Livi within touching distance of sensational back-toback promotions.
The West Lothian outfit came up from League One only 12 months ago but are now just another twolegged win away from a return to the top flight for the first time in 12 years.
And Hoppy, who insisted his side were denied a “stonewall penalty” for a Bilel Mohsni hand ball late on, has vowed to make it difficult for whoever they face in the final.
He said: “I’m delighted. I know I can trust my players and I was so delighted with their attitude and application, and the number of fans here tonight was just incredible.
“Anything that happens now, I’m not bothered because we got to the final.
“We know we’ll play against Ross County or Partick in the final and it will be a very difficult tie for us – but we can relax and enjoy it.
“We thoroughly deserve our place there. We’ve stuck together, most of us have been a team for two years, and we’re organised and hard to play against. Whoever we play against we’ll make it tough.
“We’re close now but we have been underdogs all season.
“Nobody expected us to come through against United but we have done it and we go into the final with no pressure.
“We can go and enjoy it – if we get put out we get put out and if we win it I’ll be delighted.”
United manager Csaba Laszlo insists he will stay on at Tannadice for next season but admitted their season had been a “failure” after defeat.
He said: “Nobody is happy. We failed, definitely, to top the league and now we have failed to be in the play-off final. This is definitely very painful.
“Will I remain in charge next season? Yes, I’m committed to the club and I will stay on, definitely.
“We have a lot of work to rebuild everything and it will not be easy.
“We have to accept the truth and we have to play next season in the Championship.”