Livingston manager John McGlynn reckons his side’s trip to Championship leaders Hearts on Sunday is special enough without his own association with the Edinburgh club being taken into consideration.
The Lions’ game at Tynecastle is being broadcast live by BBC ALBA, kick-off 4.05pm, with McGlynn’s men heading to the capital after a 4-0 Scottish League Cup defeat from holders Aberdeen and the hosts having lost 3-0 at Celtic Park in the same competition.
Despite the scoreline at Pittodrie, McGlynn has nothing but praise for his side, who sit fifth in the Championship with seven points from six games.
He said: “The final score was a bit harsh on the players. We did really well for an hour but their second goal took the tie away from us as it really gave them a lift. We had performed well up until then and certainly in the first half we gave as good as we got.
“I thought the Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes was very honest in his assessment afterwards when he said how well we had done and I am sure our players will take heart from his genuine praise.
“Going to play Hearts at Tynecastle is another fantastic game for us and it comes in the middle of a great run as we have Rangers at home after this one. We were at Hibs when the season opened and have played Hearts in a Petrofac Training Cup tie already as well. There have been a lot of big games already and more to come.
“These are the games that players want to play in and I was delighted with how they responded to the challenge of Aberdeen. We face a similar challenge at Hearts as there will be a big crowd and a big atmosphere but I am sure that will help us lift our game.”
The Petrofac Training Cup tie produced a fine 4-1 win for Livingston at the Energy Assets Arena last month but McGlynn does not believe that gives his men any advantage for this one.
He said: “That game has been and gone and does not give us any indication of how this one will go. We had been preparing to face their ‘A’ side that night but their head coach Robbie Nielson went a different way. We will face their strongest team this time as they have talked about the league being their priority. Points are prisoners in this league and we will need to play well to get some on Sunday.”
Former Raith Rovers manager McGlynn has history with Hearts as both coach and manager but is fully focused on trying to inflict their first defeat in the Championship.
He said: “It is more than an ordinary game and not just because of my association with Hearts. I was there for 11 years as a coach and then nearly a year as the manager so Hearts were a big part of my life, however that is not what makes the game special.
“There will be a big crowd and the game is live on BBC ALBA and all that makes it a really big game. It is also a game between two teams looking to bounce back after midweek cup defeats, so there is plenty to play for.”
Craig Stewart
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