Scott Walker Column

Published 4 Aug 2010 09:30 0 Comments

SUNDAY'S win in the Co-operative League Cup away to East Stirling was the perfect boost for us ahead of Saturday's Second Division opener against Livingston.

All credit to the Third Division side, they gave us a good game and had us on the back foot for spells but I think over the piece we deserved to progress to the next round.

Their five in the midfield to our four gave them the upper hand in the first 45 but we changed our formation at the break and came out stronger for it second half. I was pleased with our passing movements, which were sublime at times. It was the perfect build up for our tough league opener away to Livingston.

The game against Livvy promises to be an exciting one. They may be many people's tip for the title - but our squad is full of confidence, and we know our players are good enough to challenge for top spot.

We're expecting a hard afternoon, though, they are the only full-time outfit in the division, and in striker Iain Russell, who I know well from our time together at Brechin and Alloa, the Lions have a top class striker who will pose a real threat. They will try to play the ball over the top of us to utilise the pace they have up front but we'll be ready for that. Our job is to ensure that we are at 100 per cent and that we concentrate for the full 90 minutes.

After the disappointment of losing out on the title last year on goal difference, I can't wait to get started this term. The expectation levels of both players and fans will be high after what we did last time but there is real experience in our squad and we'll thrive on the pressure.

It will be clearer after the first quarter who is looking good - but I would think, along with ourselves, Livvy, Brechin and Ayr will be in the mix for the top spots.

Now for my version of American chat show host Jerry Springer's Final Thought.

I've been left to buy the biscuits for the team after my performance at shooting practice last week, and I want to put it on record that I was stitched up big time over the hob nobs. Wasps assistant manager James Ward laid some passes to my right foot, rather than my favoured left, and so I had no chance of finding the net. Cheers Wardie.

Joking aside, the spirit in the camp is great. The management team are great at getting the best out of the players. They create a good atmosphere in training, and hopefully we can reward them with success on the pitch.

Next week, I'll give you my reaction to the Livingston game and tell you what I think of Craig Levein's decision to bring some of the players involved in the 'Boozegate' scandal back into the Scotland squad.

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