Livingston: Cammy Macdonald out to make up for lost Livi time

You'D be forgiven for thinking Cammy Macdonald would look tomorrow to emulate his good start to last season's campaign where he grabbed a goal at Hampden.

However, the Livingston defender insists making sure he can stay fit and work his way back into Gary Bollan's starting XI is his only aim as the Lions prepare to face Airdrie United in the Ramsdens Challenge Cup.

It was in the same competition against Queen's Park this time last year that Macdonald grabbed his first senior goal in a 3-2 defeat, only for him to suffer a serious head injury in the league opener against Alloa Athletic less than two weeks later and face half the season on the sidelines.

The defender insists goals are the last thing on his mind as he sets his sights on regaining his place in the Livi back four.

"I've played a bit at right back and a bit at centre back in pre-season and I'm open to playing anywhere along the back," said Macdonald. "It's more about getting used to playing again and getting enough game time under your belt so you're fit enough going into the start of the season.

"It was great to score a goal in this round last season - especially at Hampden - but I don't care much for scoring as long as the team scores and I think most defenders will tell you that. Our job is more about clean sheets."

The former youth player knows it will be tricky to force his way back into a defence that finished last season strongly.

He said: "We've got a good squad and the boys that have played the second half of last season in the back four played really well. I'm under no illusions it'll be a task to force my way back into the team."

Bollan's men face Jimmy Boyle's Airdrie at the Excelsior Stadium, and face the prospect of Chris Malone - Boyle's signing from the Lions this summer - lining up against them.

And Macdonald is hopeful that the First Division's new boys could do well this year after disappointing cup exploits last campaign.

He said, "I'd take the league or other cup competitions over the Ramsdens Cup but obviously it's a great chance at winning a trophy starting with Airdrie on Saturday. Now the pressure's off having to win the league with all the financial implications that existed if we didn't go up, it means hopefully we can relax a little more in the cups this season and have some good runs."