Hay finishes job and urges Massone to sort Livingston

Published on Monday 11 May 2009 10:02

DAVIE HAY today urged Livingston chairman Angelo Massone to sort out the club's finances for the sake of everyone concerned.

Hay, who said he would not continue as interim boss after the 2-2 draw with Queen of the South, brought the curtain down on another troubled season at Almondvale, saying: "Livingston cannot afford another season like this. The financial aspect of the club has to be sorted out, for everyone concerned, the players, staff, supporters.

"You cannot fault the players for their commitment, but the issues have to be addressed and let's hope it is a brighter future for Livingston."

Leigh Griffiths, meanwhile, rounded off the best week of his sporting life by firing his 22nd goal of the campaign to break Jason Young's 13-year club record of the most goals in a season. It followed on from being named PFA First Division player of the year and scoring for Scotland B against Northern Ireland after being called up last Monday.

He is now Massone's prized asset and Hay has already signalled his departure, saying: "Leigh has had an exceptional season and a sensational week. First Division player of the year and scoring for Scotland B, and then he breaks the record.

"That's one of the sunnier sides to Livingston this season.

"It will be somewhere else for Leigh, where it is I don't know. But he will eventually move on."

Griffiths has already had trials with Parma and West Brom and the club have rejected Dundee's 100,000 inquiry for him.

Griffiths said: "Does it get any better? Probably not. It was some week with the award and the Scotland call-up. The record wasn't on my mind but I was delighted to get it."

The game was almost a washout with the players asked to warm-up on the club's adjacent synthetic pitch in order to protect the playing surface. There was surface water on each flank and fears for the players' safety. As it turned out, it was the assistant referees who suffered most in the first period. Wes Boulstridge had to be treated for a leg injury after slipping and Raymond Whyte, who had to run through a puddle along his touchline all afternoon, slipped and fell over in front of the visiting fans, much to their amusement.

Andrew Halliday created the first goal after six minutes, his cross was fumbled by visiting keeper Lee Robinson and David Winters shot home.

Winters was then fouled in the box two minutes later, and Griffiths dispatched the penalty.

The Doonhamers were the better team after the break and hit back through Stevie Tosh and Gerry McLaughlin.

Livingston defender Chris Malone was stretchered off after a collision with Tosh but Hay revealed: "Chris Malone is okay. He took a knock but he is okay."