PARS BOSS HOPES TO BE INSPIRED BY LIVI

ALLAN Johnston insists Dunfermline should be inspired by Livingston’s fairytale season as they prepare for a promotion push next term.

Johnston, who finally put pen to paper on a new two-year deal, is adamant that automatic promotion should be the aim for the Pars after t heir recent play-off disappointment against Dundee United.

However, he admits that Livingston showed the way on Sunday for aspiring Championship clubs when they saw off Partick Thistle over two legs to reach the promised land of the Premiership.

He said: “Sometimes it’s just about timing and it was Livi’s time. They had a fantastic season and fair play to them.

“And it just shows you it can be done.

“That’s what we’ve got to try to achieve, we’ve got to try to match that and I don’t see any reason why we can’t.

“It probably shows you the advantage finishing second makes in terms of the play-offs, j ust with having less games to get through.

“But we want automatic promotion, if possible. We know that’s difficult – only one team can do that – but even if you get into the play-offs it gives you a massive opportunity.

“We’ve just got to keep progressing as a club and keep i mproving every year.

“We’ve progressed every year and there’s no reason why we can’t do it again.”