BUDDIES BRACED FOR LIVVY’S ‘LAND OF THE GIANTS’

ST MIRREN manager Jim Goodwin is confident his players will stand up and be counted tonight in the ‘land of the giants’ at Livingston.

Goodwin concedes his team will be at a height disadvantage against the set-piece specialists but has been impressed with the way his Saints have coped with similar tests against the likes of Aberdeen and Motherwell in recent weeks. The Irishman said ahead of tonight’s Premiership contest in West Lothian: ‘You know what you are going to get with Livingston. They are a very direct team — balls up to Lyndon Dykes, play for set-plays and long throws. Anything within 40 yards of your box is coming in.

‘It’s land of the giants and unfortunately we are not. We have coped admirably in recent fixtures and will just have to do the same again. Vaclav (Hladky) will need to be big and strong and come and punch things and the two centre-halves will have to stand up and be counted.

‘But it’s not a part of our game that we are blessed with, a great amount of height, so we have to try and avoid giving away silly free-kicks and corners.

‘We know there are times we are going to get out-jumped but as long as everyone is doing their jobs and picking up their guys and making sure nobody is getting free headers, then I think that is all you can ask for.

‘We are quite fortunate we have a goalkeeper in Vaclav who is willing to come for balls and catch and that can take pressure off defenders.’ Goodwin (left) has boosted his squad with the signing of former Celtic and Burnley midfielder Ross Wallace. The 34-year-old was a free agent after leaving Fleetwood Town in the summer and has signed a deal until the end of the season.

Goodwin, who has lost midfield duo Ryan Flynn and Kyle Magennis to injury recently, said: ‘Having someone with his experience is great and he can play in midfield and at left-back.

‘Fitness-wise, he isn’t where we would want him to be but we will work with him over the next few weeks.’

Saints have only lost once in 2020, a 1-0 defeat to Rangers, and Goodwin has been delighted with the impact of his new 21-year-old central defenders. Akin Famewo, a loan signing from Norwich, and Conor McCarthy, a capture from Cork City, have settled quickly. ‘I think the two boys deserve special mention, just coming in in January,’ said Goodwin. ‘They have been outstanding.’