League more important than Cup, says Bollan

Jan 21 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

GARY BOLLAN admits he’d love an extended run in the Scottish Cup but he insists the Third Division title is his priority as the Lions eye a quickfire return up the leagues.

The Livingston manager was hoping to mastermind a cup shock against First Division leaders Dundee (last night) but it is title glory he has in his sights.

He said: “It is always good to get a run in the cup but the league is our bread and butter and is the most important thing for us.

“I’m pleased with where we are at the moment as we are in pole position in the league.

“However, it is all in our own hands and if we win all of our remaining matches then we will be league champions.

“But it won’t be as easy as that and we have East Stirling and Berwick hot on our heels and both of them will be doing their best to catch us.”

Livingston have been training hard in their enforced winter break but are obviously desperate to return to action on the park.

The West Lothian club did enjoy a bounce match against SPL hopefuls Queen of the South last Saturday as the Lions emerged from football hibernation.

And Bollan admits it has been a frustrating time for the club.

“It has been extremely frustrating not being able to play but there's nothing we can do about it so we just have to get on with it,” continued Bollan.

“We had a wee run out against Queen of the South at the weekend in a bounce match and we’ve been training as best we can.

“We were fortunate to get the astro-turf back in safe condition last week and that has helped as we managed to get something done.

“It has been four or five weeks without a game and we are all itching to get back to regular football.”

A trip to Stranraer is the next stop on Livingston’s Third Division title tilt and leading the line for the Blues now is a former Almondvale favourite.

Bollan added: “I watched Stranraer last weekend and they did very well and any team who can score five goals away from home are a threat.

“Armand One, who we know well, scored a couple for them and he will be a handful for our defence but I’m confident we can do well.”