Livi sign off in style
Greatendtoseasonasclubbidfarewelltofamiliarfaces
Livingston ended the 2021/22 season in style as late goals from Andrew Shinnie and Alan Forrest helped secure a 2-1 win over relegated Dundee.
The victory ensured the Lions finished in seventh place and tallied 49 points and 13 wins – both figures being the second highest in a top flight season in the club’s history.
Boss David Martindale made nine changes to the side that had picked up a midweek draw at St Mirren, handing starts to several players set to leave the club – most notably Jack McMillan and Craig Sibbald who are ending their five and four year spells at the club.
The away side started the brighter, with Paul McMullan forcing Max Stryjek into an early save, while Max Anderson hit the post as the Lions survived an early scare.
The departing Sibbald came closest for Livi in the opening 20 minutes, with the midfielder doing well to create enough space before firing narrowly wide. Christian Montano was then booked for simulation when he appeared to have been brought down when racing through on goal.
Stryjek was soon brought into action against McMullan yet again, with the Polish keeper making a terrific diving save to keep the game level.
However, the Dark Blues opened the scoring just before the hour mark when Josh Mulligan met a Jordan Marshall delivery with a fine header at the back post.
A string of changes disrupted the flow somewhat before the biggest cheer of the afternoon arrived with the Lions’ final change as Gary Maley was introduced for his Premiership debut.
The 39-year-old keeper replaced Stryjek and was promptly handed the captain’s armband by Nicky Devlin in his final appearance before retiring.
The changes noticeably lifted the fans and the hosts nabbed their equaliser just two minutes later.
Devlin saw his header cleared off the line before the ball found its way to Forrest, with his strike at goal directed home by
Shinnie.
Forrest, also set to depart the Tony Macaroni Arena this summer, was causing Dundee all sorts of problems. The winger found the net only to be adjudged offside.
But that didn’t stop him scoring the winner with five
minutes left.
He won the ball off Charlie Adam and teed up Odin Bailey before receiving the ball again and cutting in from the left to curl a trademark finish into the bottom corner.
Maley was called into action and helped preserve the three points with a fine save to deny Niall McGinn, while former Lions striker Danny Mullen headed over the bar.
As the full-time whistle brought an end to a thrilling campaign, the Livi players and staff were given a standing ovation by the fans.