Livingston fullback eyes more silverware

Sep 8 2011 by Allan Valente, West Lothian Courier

JASON TALBOT has insisted that Livingston have enough quality to compete in both the league and cup competitions this year – as they aim to add the Ramsdens Challenge Cup to their recent haul of silverware.

The Lions booked their place in the semi-final of the competition with a 2-1 win over Berwick Rangers last Sunday.

And the Englishman believes that Livi will have to rely on the whole squad if they are to compete in a tight First Division, as well as mount a charge in the last four of the Challenge Cup.

He said: “It’s good for the lads to get to a semi-final. We have won a lot in the past two seasons and this is a chance to push on and hopefully get into a final. It would be nice to carry on our winning ways.

“We are building up a strong squad and rotation is going to be important this year. Players need to be fresh for each game.

We have great options, especially upfront and in midfield, so if someone isn’t quite at it we have people stripped and ready to replace them.”

The full-back welcomes the last four clash with Hamilton which is probably the toughest draw.

“We haven’t really go any preferences who we play,” he said.

“ We just need to be the best team on the day to win. We’ll need to be at our best anyway if we are going to win the cup.”

Talbot is loving life back in the First Division. The defender arrived in West Lothian four years ago, with Livingston still challenging in the second tier, and it has been a long but enjoyable road back.

He added: “This year has been great so far, I’ve loved every minute of it. I’ve been here for four years and I’m growing in confidence as a player all the time.

“We have a great team spirit here, all the boys get on and we are all in it for each other.

“I’m used to the First Division standard, having played in this league when I first came here.

“The quality in the league is much the same but a lot of experience has been replaced with youth, and that goes for us too.”

Falkirk are one such team in the First Division who place a real emphasis on younger players, and they visit Almondvale this Saturday in what should be a keenly contested encounter.

Talbot said: “They are just down the road so they will bring a big support with them.

“It’s great playing in front of bigger crowds because it gets the players going.

“Dundee brought a lot of fans with them a few weeks ago and you always get good banter with a crowd like that.

“We’re looking forward to it. Falkirk have a young squad but all we can do is concentrate on our own game.

“If we play to our best form I am sure we can get a positive result and take full points from the match.