Bollan admits every match now is pivotal as title race hots up

Feb 25 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

Gary Bollan

GARY BOLLAN insists this weekend’s match against Montrose will be as tough as any other as the race for the Third Division title goes to the wire.

The Livingston manager was delighted to see his side dominate and defeat title rivals East Stirlingshire at the weekend.

But he is adamant every single match will be tough for his league-leading side between now and the end of the season in May.

“All the games are going to be tough for us,” began Bollan.

“We have beaten Montrose twice so far this season and despite the fact they are languishing at the bottom at the moment it won’t be easy.

“We’ve no right to expect to win any match by just turning up and we need to approach each game with the right attitude.”

Livingston buried the ghost of an early season Shire defeat with a comfortable 2-0 win on Saturday.

East Stirling gaffer Jim McInally was fuming after the match though as he claimed Livingston star Robbie Winters had dived in a clash which saw his skipper sent for an early bath.

But Bollan refused to be drawn on any controversy.

“I’m not interested in what anyone has said about Saturday’s match,” continued Bollan.

“We won the game which is all that concerns me.

“It was good to beat the Shire as they are doing very well and they had beaten us earlier this season as well.

“That night they were the better team but this time I felt we played very well and controlled the best part of the game.

“It was pleasing to get the victory and I think the fact we started the game well helped us.”

Now Livingston’s title hopes are in their own hands and if they win their reaming fixtures they WILL be crowned champs.

Bollan added: “We don’t need any favours from anyone else now and just need to take care of ourselves.

“That’s all that matters.”