Shinnie: We will need to Liv with duo
ANDREW SHINNIE saw the raw potential in Hibs stars Martin Boyle and Ryan Porteous when he spent a season on loan at Easter Road.
Boyle’s searing pace and Porteous’ youthful desire to “tackle anyone” made them unpolished gems five years ago.
So it’s no surprise for Shinnie, back in Scotland with Livingston, to see the duo have since developed into two of the Premiership’s star performers.
But the 32-year-old is determined to take the shine off his former team-mates when they go head-to-head at the Tony Macaroni Arena this evening.
Both sides are on a woeful run of form with Livi just two points off bottom spot after a six-game winless run and Hibs’ bright start careering off track with one win in their last eight.
Livi were unfortunate to lose 1-0 to Hearts after pounding the Jambos’ goal in the first half on Sunday and Shinnie reckons a repeat performance tonight could end the rot and spell more trouble for his old side.
He said: “Martin Boyle is one of Hibs’ main threats. When I was there I thought he had a right good chance with his pace although he was still a bit raw. But he was learning all the time.
“He is now a very good player, pace, dribbling and end product.
“We will have to work on a way to stop him and his team.
“Ryan was coming through too. He was a young lad coming up to train with the big team but he didn’t care. He was aggressive and would go and tackle anyone.
“He has brought that into the Premiership and is doing really well.
“But we created good chances against the top centre-backs Hearts have and we will just have to do the same against Hibs.
“We played some good football against Hearts but just couldn’t get the first goal.
“Obviously to win the games you need to score goals.
“Have a little bit of composure – like when I was going through one on one with Craig Gordon I should be doing a bit better. It was disappointing to lose but carry on those levels and we should be OK.”