Livingston manager Gary Bollan pays tribute to his side’s quickfire start

Feb 4 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

GARY BOLLAN reckons his side’s quickfire start laid the groundwork for their midweek win over Queen’s Park.

The Livingston manager was delighted to see his title favourites extend their lead at the top of the table with two goals inside the opening 12 minutes.

He said: “We said last week we didn’t even get into full swing but this week we started the game like a house on fire and scored two early goals which was very pleasing for everyone at the club..

“The game had been in great doubt in the morning but the guys at the club put in a tremendous effort to get the game on. It is important to get games played but the pitch didn’t allow us to play our usual passing game but in the coming weeks the games will be coming thick and fast.”

The Almondvale surface was left battle scarred after the match due the effects of the recent cold snap.

And Bollan confessed the state of the surface played a part in his team selection.

“I knew the conditions weren’t for playing football but to give the boys their credit they did knock the ball around well in spells,” he continued.

“However, we felt it could be a game where it would go from back to front so that was why we decided to start with Jim Hamilton and he did well to last the pace for an hour.

“As far as I am concerned he showed he will be a real asset to the team.”

The transfer window slammed shut on Monday night with in-demand teen Andy Halliday still a Livingston player.

This has left Bollan delighted but there was concern on the Almondvale terraces when he was sent careering off the park and into the advertising hoardings on Tuesday night.

But Bollan insists he knew his teen winger would be alright

He added: “I wasn’t too worried for him as we could see the way the situation was going from the bench and we could see it coming.

“It was just one of those things which you have to pick yourself up and dust yourself down from.”