Holt wants Livi stars to be Hungary
He revealed: “Quite a few of the lads I played with made it all the way to the top – Jordan Pickford, Raheem Sterling, Eric Dier.
“There were a few others like Jordan Cousins and Nick Powell who’ve had good careers in the Championship.
“I travelled to quite a lot to places like Portugal and all over Europe.
“We had a World Cup in Mexico at Under-17 level. I only played half a game but I was part of a squad that got to the quarter-finals.”
Jackson’s early promise stalled during a run of unsuccessful loan spells from Boro Livingston boss Gary Holt insists their Budapest friendly against SKF Sered is anything but meaningless and is urging his Lions to grasp their first opportunity to claim a jersey.
The West Lothian outfit are in the midst of a preseason training camp in the Hungarian capital, with Holt putting his charges through punishing triple sessions in 35-degree heat.
Slovakian top-flight side Sered will prove a tough test and Holt said: “That’s why we play these games – it’s a good indication of who really wants a jersey.
“We always talk about that here – who is willing to stake a claim? This is a time of the year when everyone should be excited, all the boys should be desperate to play.
“You do all the running, the grunt work, in order to play the football. So come match-day I’m sure I’ll have 23 keen, fit bodies.”
Livingston take on Hungarian side Paksi on Wednesday, who were knocked out of the Europa League by Hearts in 2011. Holt (left) said: “They are both good sides. “It will be hot with humidity but it’s a chance to work on keeping the ball because if you give it away you’ll be chasing it all afternoon!”