Football Season Guide

The Lions made easy work of returning to the Championship winning League One by some distance. They took a big chance in remaining full-time as financial losses mounted but it paid off for manager, David Hopkirk. Although they will see some large away support this season, it remains to be seen if their losses can be curtailed. The Lions have a chequered history of poor financial management and that alone may hold them back from making an impact in the Championship. It could be argued that Livingston's squad is weaker than last season's as Hopkirk tests himself at a higher level. Liam Buchanan's goals went a long way to giving them the title but he has chosen to remain in League 2 with Raith Rovers. Buchanan leaves a huge gap in the Lions' forward line and so far it has yet to be filled although Nikolay Todorov has been drafted in from Hearts. The Lions are also waiting to cash in on the talented teenager Matt Knox after a host of clubs expressed interest in him last season. Livingston finished last season with nine consecutive wins as they stormed to the title. Although the Lions were dropped into a Betfred Cup section that had three other full-time teams, they topped it with ease to further boost their pre-season confidence. Winning games is a great habit to have and, at the moment, the Lions seem to have it in abundance. Livingston have assembled an experienced squad to cope with this level of football. They are not expected to finish near the top but, at the same time, they are probably too strong for the part-timers of Brechin and Dumbarton. A mid-table season without any financial shocks would serve them well. However, Livingston and the spectre of financial meltdown are never that far apart.