Stevie May joined Livingston a year ago, and the striker has now made over 30 appearances for the West Lothian club, suffering the low of relegation and the high of regaining a place among the elite of Scottish football via the play-offs last season.
The Perth-born player was, however, a disappointed man after Livi conceded an injury-time goal which meant defeat to Rangers at the Home of the Set Fare Arena on Sunday.
The 32-year-old, however, declared: “We put that behind us and we move on.”
David Martindale’s team travel to Tayside to face Dundee Untied on Saturday (kick-off 15.00) and the West Lothian club wait to see if skipper Ryan McGowan has recovered from injury.
That forced the manager into a re-shuffle at the back, but former Dundee player, Mo Sylla, had an “incredible” game according to the boss who also mentioned goalkeeper, Jeromy Prior, as another standout on the day.
The defeat meant Livingston have slipped down the table into tenth position with five points. United are in fifth position with eight points, but Martindale argued that his men are on a steep learning curve after earning promotion via the play-offs last season.
The boss made substantial changes during the close season, adding a number of players to allow the club to cope with the rigours of the highly-physical William Hill Premiership and, against Rangers, he had two 20-year-old players in midfield.
However, there are also experienced men in the side, like Aussie-born McGowan, Scott Pittman, the club’s all-time appearance record holder, and May who has also played around 200 games for St Johnstone.
May, who initially joined Livingston on loan from St Johnstone in August 2024, making the move permanent in June this year, has also laced on his boots for Alloa Athletic (loan), Hamilton Academical (loan), Sheffield Wednesday, Preston North End, and made 61 appearances for Aberdeen.
The once-capped forward undoubtedly knows his way around and has collected a few T-shirts en route, and, reflecting on the narrow defeat by Rangers, May felt that Livingston deserved something out of the game, a point at least.
He conceded: “Losing a late goal was disappointing, it was a corner and you have to defend it. You have to play to the last minute, but you have to take positives from the game.”
The 5ft 10in forward believes Livingston are competing well on their return to the top flight of Scottish professional football, and he felt the West Lothian combine caused Rangers real problems, particularly at the start of the second half.
When Sylla scored after 67 minutes, May thought they could sneak a result, but it was not to be.
Positively, the stadium was packed and the experienced professional said: “It is nice to have the stadium full. Good atmosphere, the boys reacted well.”
The Lions have suffered early-season injuries, but Livingston’s No 17 argued that being able to cope, and remain competitive, proves the value of having a large squad and he said: “Anybody can come in and do a job.”
Early team news from Tannadice is that Dundee United Academy graduate, Miller Thomson, has joined William Hill Championship side Ross County on a season-long loan.
Reflecting on their last game, United manager Jim Goodwin felt the 2-0 home defeat to Kilmarnock was a “reality check” and he argued that if his men drop below the required standard, and don’t do the basics, then you are punished in the Premiership.
The performance, added the 43-year-old Irishman, was nowhere near what had been achieved in previous games, Goodwin feeling United were too slow in the build-up and “did not come up with the solutions”. He naturally hopes that his men come up with solutions to dent the challenge of Livingston on Saturday.
PACKED: One of the busy areas in The Home of the Set Fare Arena on Sunday. Picture Nigel Duncan
