David Hopkin: Livingston players face biggest day of their careers

David Hopkin wants his Livingston players ready for the biggest 90 minutes of their careers tomorrow.

David Hopkin

They carry a 2-1 lead over Partick Thistle entering the Premiership play-off second leg at Firhill, but manager Hopkin won’t try to hold the advantage.

“No, I never do,” he said. “This has got us to where we are now, so why would I change it in the last game? I’m sure the players will give me everything on Sunday but I think we’re going to face a completely different Partick Thistle team.

“I’ll just go and do the same again. I know it’s going to be a tough ask on a bigger pitch.

“We can’t let teams go and play. We haven’t done it all season. We’re now in the last game. If we go there and it’s not enough on the day, then I’ll congratulate Alan [Archibald] and Thistle for staying up.

“If we can do it and keep our energy levels up, it will probably be the biggest 90 minutes of their careers. Sunday is like a [cup] final. That’s the way we’ve got to treat it.”

Livingston won’t train before tomorrow’s match to let their players recuperate.

“I’ve got 15 or 16 fit now. I’m going to have to patch a few people up for Sunday. We need one massive effort. They’re knackered but I know they’ll go again,” said Hopkin.