Living life to the full
Alexander’s fulfilling career has come full circle as he ends up back in West Lothian 16 years after missing a date with destiny
FOR supporters of Livingston, a forthcoming League Cup tie against Hibs is an excuse to indulge in nostalgic recall of the club’s greatest moment. In the case of Neil Alexander, it’s cause to reflect on the bizarre moment that ended his first spell at the club — and ultimately launched him on an exciting new career path.
The 2004 League Cup Final triumph stands as Livingston’s solitary major honour but, three years earlier, the West Lothian outfit contested a semi-final for the very first time against the same Edinburgh opponents.
Alexander should have played in that Hampden Scottish Cup tie but a freak training-ground injury on the eve of the quarter-final against Peterhead saw him break his hand. He didn’t play for the club again for 16 years.
‘I remember it well,’ he grimaces. ‘It was March 9 and I had my hand stood on and broke three bones.
‘I got injured in training on the Friday, missed the game on Saturday and the club signed Javier Sanchez Broto.
‘Broto came in and did really well for three months and then at some point it became: “Neil who?” But he only came in because I got injured.’
That Alexander, a Scotland Under-21 internationalist who had operated as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper during the promotionwinning season of 2000Alexander 01, should become disposable so quickly was symptomatic of the club’s rapid-fire recruitment policy of the time.
A new contract was put on the table but, with Broto also handed a permanent deal, Alexander was informed by the management duo of Jim Leishman and Davie Hay that he would start the club’s maiden season in the top flight on the bench.
At that point, a transfer to Cardiff City became appealing.
‘I missed three months of the season yet still got Player of the Year,’ he reflected ahead of a trip to face The New Saints, another Welsh side, in the Irn-Bru Cup today. ‘I had a really good season, hence the reason Cardiff were interested, but that injury changed my fate and the path in my career.
‘Broto came in and went on to achieve big things, too. I have no regrets. I loved my time at Livingston and it’s not worked out too bad since.’
Alexander rejoined Livingston this summer after a fulfilling career that yielded three full Scotland caps, a UEFA Cup runners-up medal with Rangers and also a Championship title with Hearts, the team he supported as a child.
Most recently, he operated as back-up to Joe Lewis at Aberdeen. The Englishman’s consistently excellent form earned him a place in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year and his physical fortitude meant did not see a minute of action under Derek McInnes.
‘I didn’t get a look-in last season but Joe was outstanding,’ he says. ‘That’s the life of a goalkeeper. There is only one jersey and I’ve always said that Joe deserved to play. I have no complaints.
‘I did really enjoy my year at Aberdeen. We were very successful and the management team and goalie coach were phenomenal, they looked after me and they made what was potentially a very difficult season very enjoyable.
‘I went there with the ambition to play but it doesn’t always work that way. I made sure I was ready if I was called upon but I wasn’t.’
At 39, Alexander could have opted to hang up the gloves and ease into retirement but the persistency of Livingston boss David Hopkin lured him back to Almondvale.
Hopkin, a former Scotland internationalist once sold by Leeds United to Bradford City for a fee of £2.5million, has done an impressive job in West Lothian, winning last season’s League One title with 19 points to spare.
‘Oh, he is a character, I love him,’ remarks Alexander. ‘He has been really good to me. I spoke to him a lot over the summer and he was desperate to get me in.
‘Both he and his assistant David Martindale were on the phone, texting and trying to persuade me to come. That was nice because at 39 you don’t have so many clubs wanting you.’
Managed by Walter Smith, Alexander was part of a Rangers team that, against the odds, ground its way to that European final in 2008.
More recently, he helped Hearts romp to the Championship title under Robbie Neilson before witnessing close up the work put in by McInnes to accumulate a record points tally and two cup finals.
The story being written by Hopkin at Livingston is much more modest but Alexander recognises a winning mentality when he sees it.
‘It’s a real breath of fresh air for me to come and be a part of something like this at this stage in my career,’ he adds. ‘We have a group of players who have a fantastic winning mentality and that’s what I need.
‘I could quite easily come here and go through the motions but, no, that won’t be happening here. This team has a lot going for it and I want to be part of that.’
Livingston started the new campaign at full pelt, topping a Betfred League Cup section that also featured the Premiership’s Partick Thistle and continued their fine cup form by taking care of Falkirk in the last 16.
‘Not a bad start, eh?’ says Alexander. ‘You want to progress and go as far as we can now. It was a great achievement to top the group with Partick Thistle in it and then to go away to Falkirk, that was a really tough game.
‘That result sets us up for the season. The priority is to consolidate and stay in the league but we do have a very ambitious group of lads who want to win every single game.
‘We want to finish as high as we can — if we can get up to fifth, sixth, that would be unbelievable.’
I missed three months of season but still got Player of the Year