Elliot poised to get nod for 'tired' Lions

Published on Wednesday 27 August 2008 10:33

CALUM ELLIOT could make his first appearance for Livingston at Dunfermline on Saturday after coach Roberto Landi admitted his players were running on empty after their 2-1 extra-time win over St Johnstone in the Co-Operative Insurance Cup, writes NIGEL SOUTHWORTH.

The victory was the Lions' seventh in eight matches with Leigh Giffiths scoring his seventh goal of the season when he equalised in the 58th minute after Liam Craig had put Saints ahead a minute after the half-time break.

Gary Miller then set up Jean Jose Cuenca to score the winner five minutes into extra-time.

Roddy McKenzie made his second debut for Livingston in goal and he could be joined in the team for a visit across the Forth this weekend by Elliot who has signed on loan until January.

Landi said: "The players were fantastic. I can't believe they can play all the match the way they do. I am very happy to work with these players because it is the first time in my life that I have seen such a small band of players produce this type of performance. It is a young squad and they are tiring.

"Leigh Griffiths cannot play all the matches like this. You have to protect him and right now he has no energy left. Elliot could feature this weekend because of this."