The Sunday Post (Dundee)

Livi boss Gary knows there is no future in

- By Brian Fowlie sport@sundaypost.com

Gary Holt won’t ask his Livingston players to do anything he hasn’t done himself.

That includes having a right go at a team who are looking almost invincible in domestic football.

Celtic have been in imperious form recently, showing the power and pace that made them unbeatable during Brendan Rodgers’ first season in charge.

They thrashed Hearts 5-0 last weekend after Craig Levein decided to try to frustrate the Hoops.

Those definitely won’t be the tactics adopted by Livi when the Champions visit the Tony Macaroni Arena this afternoon.

Holt’s playing days in England provided him with a couple of harsh lessons about how to play a top team.

He recalled: “I’ve been in many games where I’ve had my backside skelped by sitting off teams because they were far better than us.

“Arsenal were the best I faced during my time with Norwich City. I was unfortunat­e enough to play against The Invincible­s during season 2003-04.

“For the first 25 minutes, we were the better side. They could have had Lauren sent off in a last-man-type scenario. He was booked.

“I actually looked up at the clock and thought: ‘ We’re doing alright here, we’re in the game’.

“Then we came in at half-time 3-0 down. “That is the difference when you switch off for a split second, they’re away and you’re done because they were exceptiona­l players.

“They’d had their Invincible season and we could have been the team to stop them, but we weren’t!

“Thierry Henry was the difference. “In one of the goals, he kicked the ball and ran past four of us.

“He wouldn’t have to try to beat you with skill. If you gave him a big gap he’d just kick it through and go.

“We were actually shouting: ‘Somebody bring him down’. But nobody did.

“He just kicked it, ran to the byline, crossed it and Pires tapped it in.

“It was simplicity.

“That’s why it’s about people taking responsibi­lity and accepting a booking.

“It’s not going to be a red card. I’m not talking about chopping him down.

“Grab his shirt and pull him down. We were too honest that day.”

The Livingston manager had another day

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