Jim Lister reckons showing in Lions Den justifies decision to return to seniors

Aug 12 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

JIM LISTER reckons his star turn for Alloa against Second Division title favourites Livingston on Saturday has justified his decision to quit the juniors and return to senior football.

Lister was a big hit in the juniors with Bathgate Thistle where he was scoring goals for fun and winning medals with the Jags.

But he turned his back on the juniors for one last crack at the senior ranks where he believes he has unfinished business.

And after coming off the bench for his new club, who were 2-0 down at the time, and inspiring them to earn a draw and a point away to Livingston on Saturday, he reckons it has proved he was right to make the switch.

He said: “I was quite pleased with how I played as I came on and gave a good presence up front and was quite happy with that.

“It was definitely a point gained for us considering we were 2-0 down.

“Livingston had a lot of chances in the first-half and they were sharper than us, although with them being full-time that is to be expected.

“None of the players thought the game was over at half-time and we all believed if we could a goal back it would lift our spirits, and so it proved.

“To get back to 2-2 away to Livingston only then to fall behind again with an own-goal was a kick in the teeth but we got back into it with the late penalty only to nearly lose it in injury time.”

Lister had a spell at Berwick Rangers a few years ago but he confesses it was a move which went sour.

He returned to top form with West Lothian junior side Bathgate Thistle for whom he scored a staggering 38 goals last season.

But he has confessed he doesn’t expect anywhere near the same goal return for the Wasps.

He added: “It is a lot easier to stand up and score goals in the juniors and I know I have to offer a wee bit more in the seniors.

“I won’t score the amount of goals I did for Bathgate in the seniors but I think I’m getting better with every game and I’m confident I’ll start putting the ball away soon.

“A lot happened when I was at Berwick and it was the wrong club at the wrong time and I made some wrong decisions.

“I always felt I should go back to the seniors and I’m pleased with the decision to go back to the seniors and Alloa is a great club to be at.”