Livingston defender aiming to beat illness

Mar 26 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

CAMERON Macdonald has spent the week trying to beat an energy-sapping virus.

The Livingston defender was unable to train for most of the week and even had a kip before the weekend’s game against Queen of the South at Palmerston.

But when he was given the call by Livi boss Paul Hegarty the teenager hauled himself out of his sickbed, declared himself fit and took his place in the Lions rearguard which earned a precious Palmerston point to maintain the local club;s hopes of challenging for the promotion spot.

Cammy has become a key figure in the Livingston defence over the past couple of months with a string of eye-catching performances.

The 19-year-old’s versatility has been a godsend for Hegarty after full-backs Dave Mackay and Jason Talbot were both hit by injury.

But Macdonald has warned he needs to keep his place in the top side on a regular basis if he is to extend his stay at Almondvale beyond next season.

The teenager, who came through the club’s youth ranks, is out of contract at the end of the next campaign.

And he honestly admits that he is reaching the age where he needs to be a first choice at playing every week at a high level.

However, he has no doubts that he would be keen to extend his stay with the Lions.

“I love it here at Livingston and would love to stay,” insisted Macdonald this week.

“But if I’m not playing often in the first team like I was at the start of this season then I’d have to look at things as I need to be playing regularly to improve my game.”

Macdonald and Tony McParland were both laid low by a draining bug throughout last week and it was touch and go whether either would make the starting line-up on Saturday.

Cammy said: “I knew that I was struggling from Wednesday night onwards.

“I managed to get myself out of bed and do a wee bit of training on Friday before I went home and then I slept all the way until pre-match as I had to try and battle through thge illness for the good of the side.

“I began to tire after about 60 minutes or so of the match but I would never have declared myself fit if I didn’t think I could manage the game.”

The defender broke into the Lions first team under former boss Mark Proctor last season .

However, when Italian Roberto Landi swept into the dugout last summer Macdonald was frozen out of the squad.

But since current boss and former Scotland stopper Paul Hegarty moved into the hot-seat at Almondvale Cammy has been a regular in the side.

Macdonald continued: “It was hard for the first half of the season. The new manager came in and had his preferred pairing at the back and I didn’t really get a chance.

“But I had to hang around and wait for a chance. And when Paul Hegarty came in he has shown great faith in me and given me the chance to play along the back four which has been a new but exciting experience for me.

“Before this season I had never played anywhere on the park except at centre half so I’ve been thrown in at the deep end a bit by playing left back here in the First Division but I think I’ve performed quite well and I’m still earning.

“I can use either foot and I’ve tried to adapt but I think I’m adapting to the challenge.”

The last five Livingston matches have produced 31 goals and First Division fans are certainly getting top value for their money when Livi come to town.

But Macdonald admits he’d like to see the West Lothian club tighten up at the back.

“From my point of view I’d rather win 1-0 and keep a clean sheet every week,” he admitted.

“However, as long as we keep picking up the points then I’ll be quite happy.”

League leaders St Johnstone are nine points clear of Livingston and boast the luxury of a game in hand over Hegarty’s side.

However a dramatic title win is still not mathematically impossible for Livingston and the teen admits the county club are refusing to throw in the towel in the run-up to the finale.

He added: “While there is still a glimmer of hope we’ll keep believing we can win the league but it isn’t a good thing when you are relying on other teams slipping up.

“We’d rather have our fate in our own hands but if we can consolidate and improve this year and maybe build for next season.

“We had a great start but I think the fact we didn’t have a big enough squad cost us when we had a few injuries and suspensions.”