David Sinclair eyeing title glory for Livingston

Feb 25 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

David Sinclair

DAVID SINCLAIR used to hitch a lift to Almondvale with fellow Glasgow boys Robert Snodgrass and Graham Dorrans.

But now Sinky is aiming to drive Livingston on to silverware, which is something neither Snoddy or Dorrans managed during their time in West Lothian.

Sinclair has watched both of his ex-team-mates’ careers accelerate in English football and admits their success has made him more determined to steer the Lions to Third Division title glory.

In recent weeks, second-placed East Stirlingshire have remained firmly in the Lions’ rear-view mirror, but a 2-0 win at Ochilview Park last weekend has left Livingston firmly in the driving seat and Sinclair is confident they can now go on and win the championship.

“That’s us top of the league now and as long as we can keep it going, then we’ll be OK,” said Sinclair.

“We are favourites to win the league but there is still a long way to go.”

Sinclair is another high-class youngster to have hopped off the Almondvale production line.

Two of the first, and most successful, are current Leeds winger Snodgrass and Scotland star Dorrans, who Sinclair reveals were always on hand with a lift and a word or two of encouragement during their Livi days.

Sinclair continued: “The three of us used to drive through from Glasgow to Livingston together for training every day and they were great friends to me. I was in the youth team at that time and they used to give me advice and pointers.

“I still speak to Graham regularly and it’s great to see them both doing so well. They’re playing at big clubs at a good level in England, which is where most players would like to play their football.

“I’m no different and I’d love to get the chance to earn a move down there but right now I’m delighted to be at Livingston

“It’s been a good season for me and I’m happy to have broken into the first team. It’s been great to have had a few games under my belt but it has been a bit disappointing to be out of the team recently.

“My run in the team has been a bit stop-start but even when I’ve not been playing, I’ve learned a lot from just training with experienced guys like Stevie Tosh, who has been there and done it.”

Sinclair has long been earmarked as a future Livi star.

As skipper of the Under-19 side, he led them to league glory but he missed out on the chance to lift the cup because of suspension, which he admits was the biggest disappointment of his career so far.

“Missing the Under-19 Cup Final last season was a big disappointment,” admitted Sinclair.

“I had been sent off in the semi-final, so missed the final but Keaghan (Jacobs) scored and showed off a special t-shirt he’d made up with a message for me on it – that meant a lot to me.

“It was a bit disappointing to see some of the boys from the Under-19s get their chance in the first team before me.

“But, at the same time, you are always happy to see your mates get a break, so I was happy for them.”