Ian McCall: We need to tame the Lions of Livingston

Nov 20 2008 By Fraser Wilson

PARTICK Thistle manager Ian McCall refuses to be drawn on the off-field problems supposedly surrounding this week's opponents Livingston.

But with his experience of guiding clubs through adverse times, particularly while cutting his managerial teeth at Clydebank and Morton, McCall should know that hard times can often breed tough teams.

Livi have been the centre of much speculation this week relating to alleged outstanding debts.

But their form on the field has remained strong as they sit in third position, two points above fifth-placed Thistle.

Asked about their current plight McCall said: "I wouldn't even comment on that, that's Livingston's business."

He does agree, however, that Livingston under Roberto Landi remain one of the top contenders for the first division title this season, financial woes or not.

McCall continued: "In terms of a football team Livi are certainly one of the strongest in the division.

"They have two or three players who could play at a higher level but losing one of those, Leigh Griffiths, to injury is a massive blow for them.

"He is one of those players who really make Livi tick and they will miss his presence when he's not there.

"We are the home side this weekend though and the fans demand that we play positive attacking football so we will have a go at them but without being too gung ho.

"We have done well in our last few home games and another win would see our credentials as one of the contenders for the title cemented.

"I wouldn't say we are contenders at the moment but a few more wins and we could find ourselves right up there."

Alan Archibald returned to action on Wednesday when Thistle beat Motherwell 2-1 in a closed-doors friendly.

Although coming through the match unscathed, the club captain won't feature this weekend and is likely to return to the first team for next Saturday's Scottish Cup third round tie at Stirling Albion.

Mark Roberts returned from injury to fire the winner in the friendly win over Well but will probably have to settle for a place on the bench this weekend due to the form of front pairing Liam Buchanan and Simon Donnelly.

Marc Twaddle is definitely out for this weekend's clash while John Robertson has picked up a slight knock making him a doubt.