Skipper focused on doing job

Livingston captain Craig Halkett says he has shut out speculation over his future and insists the Lions are his only focus as he heads into the winter break.

Several clubs on both sides of the border are credited with having an interest in taking the centre-back away from West Lothian, including Blackburn Rovers, Sheffield United and former club Rangers.

However, the 23-year-old (above), who has spent three years with the Lions, said he’s putting that to the back of his mind.

He commented: “I just want to ignore any talk about my future.

“My job is at Livingston and I want to focus on my own performances and pick up as many points as I can for the club but it’s always a compliment.”

The Lions ended what has been an incredible 2018 on a downer after their home loss to Aberdeen at the weekend, but the skipper was keen to look at the positives as the relegation favourites have made a mockery of those pre-season predictions with a fine first half as they sit 18 points clear of the drop and believes his side can continue to take steps forward.

He commented: “There’s nothing to fear for the rest of the season. That’s the second round of fixtures complete and we’ve played everyone twice, except St Johnstone, and we know how teams play against us.

“It’s testament to us that teams maybe shaped up a little differently the second time because we shocked them in the first game.”

He added: “Every team in the league knows what we can do, so every game will be even tougher in the second half of the season.

“We have exceeded expectations massively so when you lose to Aberdeen you take it and move on. We can be proud of what we’ve achieved.”