Scouts flocking to Almondvale in their droves to watch Livingston wonderkids

Jan 28 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

THE LIST of club representatives boasted so many star names it should have been displayed in neon lights.

Rangers, Manchester City, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Preston North End, Bolton, Ipswich, Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs and Bristol Rovers were all at Almondvale last Wednesday night to watch Livingston’s latest batch of wonderkids scare the living daylights out of First Division leaders Dundee.

A who’s who of the UK’s biggest clubs sat in the comfy seats to watch the Third Division leaders take SPL-bound Dundee all the way in a cup cracker.

Only the heroics of visiting keeper Derek Soutar denied Livingston a fully deserved replay, but there was more than enough on show to whet the appetites of the watching scouts.

It is no secret that Andy Halliday is wanted by clubs on both sides of the border, but Livi could also have clubs scrambling for the cheque books for the likes of Keaghan and Kyle Jacobs, Cammy MacDonald and David Sinclair as well.

Almondvale has proved to be a fertile breeding ground for young football saplings and Livingston fans have been fortunate enough to witness the growth of a host of top-class stars.

Leeds winger Robert Snodgrass, Scotland star Graham Dorrans, Coventry stopper James McPake, Burnley wonderkid Joe McKee, St Johnstone powerhouse Murray Davidson and First Division hot-shot Leigh Griffiths are all graduates of the Livingston youth set-up in recent seasons.

Their progression has alerted clubs to the work being done at the West Lothian club and now they are flocking to games in their droves.

Livingston Chief Executive Ged Nixon confirmed a host of clubs are keeping an eye on their young players.

He said: “We have received an unprecedented number of requests for tickets from clubs in recent weeks.

“Clubs from the English Premiership, the Championship, League One and also from the SPL as well.

“Although there have been a lot of visits, they haven’t been followed up with concrete offers.

“There has been no contact whatsoever from any other club for any players.”

Nixon did confirm that winger Halliday did spend a few days on trial with Championship side Charlton last week.

But he is adamant the club are doing everything they can to hold on to the 18-year-old.

He added: “Anything could change before the transfer window shuts on Monday but we’ve been quite open about the situation with Andrew Halliday.

“It is a moving picture but we honoured a gentleman’s agreement with Charlton to allow him to travel down for a few days following the postponement of the Dundee match.

“He did fine but nothing has changed and we aren’t pushing it as we are quite happy for Andy to stay here.

“We’ve tried to secure all of our young players on longer term deals and we have made an offer to Andy which still remains.”