Livi United boss readying troops for 2012 tussle

Dec 22 2011 by Kieran Westbrook, West Lothian Courier

ANDY JOHNSTONE reckons fitness could be his side’s secret weapon in 2012.

The Livingston United boss has managed to book training facilities throughout the Christmas period.

And he believes it could be the difference between success and failure at the end of the season.

He said: “The important thing is to try to keep the fitness levels up when they can’t get games.

“We’re going to have somewhere to train until the weather picks up.

“I made sure of that last year as well and it made a massive difference.

“In the last half hour of matches, we were running over teams.

“If we can benefit from that again this time round, it could make all the difference when it gets to the end of the season.

“Our opponents will have turkey and Brussels sprouts in their bellies but we’ll be prepared!”

As well as securing training facilities to deal with the icy conditions which forced Livi United’s clash with Fauldhouse to be called-off on Saturday, they have also set up two friendly matches.

The first is against Murieston Under-21s next Thursday followed by another bounce game against Pollok in the new year.

He added: “Hopefully the training and friendlies will keep us sharp and we’ll be fresh and ready for the battles in 2012.”