Longridge: Top-five finish is achievable for Livingston

Jackson Longridge has become a first-team regualr since joining from Stranraer

David Hopkin’s men are five points better off than bottom team Alloa in ninth spot but, on the contrary, just 12 adrift of promotion play-off hopefuls Raith Rovers who are fourth.

And full-back Longridge believes that a positive result at Dumbarton tomorrow can spark a late surge up the table.

“You only need a few good results and then you can find yourself in the mix for a play-off spot,” said the 20-year-old who joined from Stranraer last  summer. “It just shows you how competitive the Championship is so every game is tough.

“Tomorrow is a huge game for us so if we can get the win then it would take some of the pressure off us and we can maybe start looking up.”

Longridge has been impressed with recent additions Sam Stanton and Mark Fotheringham and has lauded the ambition shown by manager Hopkin.

“I think the new guys have brought a lot to the team and have that experience that can really help the younger ones in the squad,” he said. “Sam’s a really talented player and Mark has vasts amount of experience and talks you through the game which really helps.

“We’ve been working a lot more on shape recently so I’m really enjoying what we’ve been doing. I like the gaffer’s ideas so we can all see what he’s wanting to do.

“He wants us to play football and that was the same when Mark [Burchill] was here so their ideas are quite similar in that they want the ball to played on the ground. I feel the past few weeks we’ve been trying to dictate the play rather than sitting in and defending.”

Longridge is set to make his 30th appearance for the club tomorrow, a figure he admits has taken him by surprise since making the step-up from part-time football.

“Full-time football is what I wanted and Livingston have given me that chance so I’ve been really pleased,” he said. “I didn’t think I’d have played as many games as I have done so it’s great that I’ve managed to secure that left-back spot. It’s not great were we are in the league but I can see us pushing up the table in the coming weeks and months.”

Meanwhile, Livi have snapped up Dundee United midfielder Charlie Telfer on loan for the remainder of the season.