Hegarty on guard against complacency

Jan 29 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

PAUL Hegarty’s spell in the Livi hotseat began with a Dingwall demolition of Ross County in December.

On his dugout debut for the Lions, Hegarty masterminded their first win in five games and steered the West Lothian club to a 4-1 win.

This weekend after three draws on the trot Hegarty gets the chance to pit his wits against the Highlanders again as County come calling to Almondvale, but despite the result last time out, Hegarty is taking nothing for granted.

“We were delighted with the result up there,” he said. “But we know we’re in for a tough game.

“They’ve had several good wins under their belt since we beat them in December and it’s going to be a hard game.

“There is still very little between us and any of the other teams and most of the games of late have been draws.

“We’re in that category, and it is a bit of a concern that we’ve dropped six points in our last three games.

“But the league is still so close and I’m sure there will be plenty more twists and turns between now and the end of the season.”

To add spice to the mix, Livingston’s two winter signings, Danny Griffin and David Winters, both came from Ross County and will be given the chance to bite the hand that once fed.

Another player who should be involved and so will be making his home debut is Frenchman Armand One, who impressed as a trialist last week.

The frontman is a towering 6ft 7in and will give First Division defences some new problems to cope with.

Hegarty said: “We have signed signing Armand for 18 months and we’re delighted to add him to the squad. The game in Morton was his first for a long spell and we were all surprised he lasted the full 90 minutes.

“I was delighted with the way he played and he gives us a different option as he gives us an out-ball.

“I’d like to bring in one more player and the chairman has been great with me, but whether I’ll be able to do so before the window closes I’m not so sure.”

Armand, who previously turned out for Partick Thistle and Cowdenbeath, impressed as Livi fought their way back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw.

Hegarty admits it was very much a game of two halves.

He continued: “I was delighted to pick up a point on Saturday because if you had asked me at half time if there was any chance of coming out of the game with anything then I’d have said ‘no’.

“Our players have to take great credit from their comeback and it was a titanic second half.

“Their attitude was superb and for us to get back into the game was fantastic.

“It was strange that the strongest part of our team recently has been defence, but we started poorly and to lose the goals we did was very unlike us.

“But I was delighted with the point because if we had been three or four nothing down it would have been a fair reflection of the game.”

Saturday also saw a return to goalscoring form for teen striker Leigh Griffiths who netted his 10th league strike of the season after a run of five games without a goal.

“Leigh’s been doing well,” said Hegarty, “but some of his chances have been stopped on the line or blocked by great saves.

“Goalscorers go through purple patches and barren spells and he’s no different.

“He’s been playing well but we’re all thrilled to see him on the scoresheet again.”