Andy Halliday on his emotional Livi exit

May 6 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

ANDY HALLIDAY signed off his Livingston career in the best possible way at the weekend — with a league winners medal stuffed in his back pocket.

The teenage winger (pictured above) is now heading south for a new chapter in his career with Championship cracks Middlesbrough but on Saturday he was leading the line of Livi stars dancing on the Almondvale turf, as the Third Division champs received their gongs and the prized trophy.

And Halliday admitted it was a day which tugged at his heart-strings for a number of reasons.

“It has been an emotional day for me lifting the trophy and also knowing it was my last appearance for the club,” explained Halliday.

“I’ve absolutely loved my time at Livingston and I’ll never forget everything they’ve done for me. Livi are my first club and the one which gave me my chance.

“It’s been a brilliant year not just for me but for the team as well. It is emotional now to be leaving but it is a step I felt I had to take.”

Halliday and fellow outgoing star Danny Griffin were both handed final starts in Saturday’s 1-0 win over East Stirling by boss Gary Bollan and the 18-year-old insisted it was important they finished with a win.

“There were a few tired legs out there today, not myself but Tosher is 37 now,” joked Halliday.

“It’s been a long season and I can understand why boys are tired although some of the challenges flying in meant it was like the opening day of the season.

“To be honest we were a bit unhappy with how we played but at least we got the three points.

“The season ended a few weeks ago but the fans are still paying their money to come and watch us so we all wanted to end with a win and go out on a high.

“We’ve managed that by picking up nine points from three games since we won the league and we’re delighted.”

As the Lions’ stars partied on the pitch on Saturday, it was hard to believe that less than a year ago the club was on the brink of liquidation and all the players faced the prospect of losing their jobs.

And Halliday agrees he is delighted to be leaving the club under the happiest of circumstances.

He continued: “Had I left last season I’d have always associated my time at Livingston in a bad way with the problems at the club but I’m delighted to be moving on now with the club doing really well.

“I don’t see any reason why Livi can’t keep going forward and hopefully they can get back to the SPL in the near future.

“There are too many top young players at the club for them not to keep moving up. They also have a great backroom team and the fact Livi will be the only full-time club in the Second Division will be a big advantage again.

“A lot of good players don’t ever win league medals but I’ve managed one in my first full season so I’m delighted.

“There is also no chance I’ll be the last of the youngsters here to earn a move. There are too many excellent players here. I don’t want to name names but there are a few here who are capable of getting a big move.”

Now, Halliday is gearing up for life at the Riverside with English heavyweights Middlesbrough but he reckons he’ll fit right in with the club being bossed by a fellow Scot and a handful of compatriots in the Boro dressing room.

He added: “It is a great opportunity for me now with Middlesbrough and looking at how some of the other players who left Livingston have done I hope I can follow in their footsteps.

“I spoke to Graham Dorrans last week and he told me to keep playing the way I’ve been playing.

“Graham also says I have to be confident and it is no use shying away or hiding in a corner.

“I spent some time at Middlesbrough and it was brilliant and their facilities are second to none.

“There are a lot of Scottish boys down there so they could understand me at least and they made me feel very welcome.

“It looks like it will be a great place to play football and the facilities are that good they make you want to do more and improve.

“I met up with (ex-Livingston manager now in charge of Boro under 18s) Mark Proctor when I was down as well and it was good seeing him again as he was the one who gave me my debut when I was still a schoolboy.

“He knows a lot about me and I believe he played a part in getting me this move.

“It is exciting times and it helps when you know someone when you are moving, it is a good start.

“I spent an hour talking with Gordon Strachan as well when I was down and he was hilarious. Some of his stories are brilliant and he is a great manager as he proved with Celtic.

“I’m really looking forward to playing under him.”