Loyalty plays a big part for Shaun at Livi
Today’s game against Celtic is a prime example of why Shaun Byrne decided to stay with Livingston.
The midfielder turned down lucrative offers to leave the club after helping them reach the Premiership in the summer.
But the 25- year- old isn’t your average footballer.
He believes friendship, loyalty and family are more important than cash.
Byrne has gone through a testing time off the field in recent times.
His mother passed away nearly two years ago and the support of his teammates has been invaluable.
He said: “The club was amazing for me. “All the boys in the changing room made it as easy for me as it could be. That’s all a part of why I feel we’re so close.
“When it came to the decision in the summer, I felt that I owed the club to stay.
“There was interest in me from what you’d say were bigger clubs.
“A few other guys had options, but the fact we stayed shows you how much everyone loves it here.
“Being in the top flight with most of the players you’ve been with in League One was a massive factor in signing on.”
The former Dunfermline player is considering taking his 13-year-old brother, Jack, out on the pitch as a mascot today.
That might not happen because he’s a big Celtic fan, leaving another special person in pole position.
He went on: “My girlfriend’s mum and dad fostered Lisa-marie, a wee girl with autism.
“She’s 12 and comes to all the games with Katy and her mum. I might get her to come out.
“Eventually I think Katie and I are going to get our own house and take Lisa-marie with us.
“I didn’t know what autism was before I met her and getting to know her has really helped me mature.”
Whoever gets the chance to walk out with Shaun before the game will experience the much-criticised plastic pitch.
Byrne believes a colour issue makes the surface look worse than it is.
He said: “‘It looks worse because of the wee black bits but the ball rolls well on the park.
“We played Hamilton at their place and it’s the same park. But they have green pellets, which hides it a bit.”