McParland still in Livi's plans, says Bollan

Sep 24 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

GARY BOLLAN has insisted that there is no ulterior motive behind his decision to drop Livingston ace Tony McParland from last three matchday squads and has told the former Celtic star that he still has a future at Almondvale.

McParland (pictured right) last turned out for the Lions in their 1-0 defeat at Berwick on August 22 and Bollan has revealed the ex-Celtic wide boy — who was a regular in the First Division last season and started Bollan’s first two matches — is a victim of players in form and nothing else.

There had been rumblings among the supporters that his absence could have been motivated by financial reasons with McParland considered to be one of the highest-earners at Almondvale, causing the club to possibly be looking to remove him from the wage bill.

But Bollan dismissed such talk and quashed allegations that the former Parkhead trainee’s future at the club was under threat.

The Livingston manager insists that McParland has not been in his squad purely based on form.

“After the defeat at Berwick, I made a few changes to the team and we’ve won two of the three games since then, so it has been hard for Tony, as well as other players, to get back into the team,” said Bollan earlier this week.

“The players brought in have been in good form and winning games and Tony is one of the guys who have found it hard to get back in.

“But he is still very much part of the squad and my plans and there is nothing more to it.”

One player who has been in great form in the rejuvenated Livi side is Italian marksman Raffaele De Vita, who has weighed in with three goals as the West Lothian club has inched up to fourth place in the table.

Bollan admits his contribution has been crucial in recent weeks and reckons there is still more to come from the 22 -year-old.

Bollan continued: “If there were ever any doubters over Rafa’s ability, they will be gone now as he shown he can score goals and is a good footballer.

“He’s on a good run at the moment after scoring three goals in two games and confidence is everything to a striker.

“He is buzzing and looking really sharp in games and in training.

“Robbie Winters is also doing very well for us up front and is doing everything but scoring goals. He is working very hard and when the first goal goes in it will give him a lift and his own confidence will shoot up.”

Next up for Livi is a home clash with Queens Park, where a win, coupled with other results going in the Lions’ favour, could see them go top of the table by 5pm on Saturday.

But Bollan thinks its far too early in the season to worry about who is in top spot.

He added: “We are only taking one game at a time and there is long, long way to go in this title race.

“Being top of the league is only important come the end of the season and not really just now. All we are looking for is another three points on the board to push on and do our best.

“We are in good form and picked up what was our first away win of the season.

“Now we switch the focus to Queens Park and, hopefully, we can win our third home match in a row.”