Lovell: Hay can fire up Livi revival

Jun 15 2008 By Scott Mcdermott

LIVINGSTON legend Stuart Lovell has hailed Davie Hay's return to the club and believes he can get punters back through the gates at Almondvale.

The Lions have been given a new lease of life by Italian investor Angelo Massone and his consortium who have appointed the former gaffer director of football.

Lovell and Hay lifted the CIS Cup at Hampden four years ago when the club enjoyed the greatest day in their short history.

But administration and relegation followed their memorable win over Hibs and a UEFA Cup clash with Austrian cracks Sturm Graz.

The West Lothian club weren't far from going out of business and crowds were dwindling prior to Massone's takeover.

Livi's former skipper Lovell is praying the Italian lawyer's money can help the club back to Scottish football's top flight and is adamant Hay holds the key.

Italian Roberto Landi is the new manager but Hay's experience as his right-hand man will be vital according to Lovell.

He said: "Davie going back is no bad thing - he's a wonderful man and someone the players will certainly enjoy working with.

"I hope his appointment can bring the supporters back in. Livi certainly need to get people through the turnstiles.

"That's vital because as we've seen with Gretna you can't rely on one man to back a club.

"It's good Livingston has been bought over by a small consortium.

If you put your reliance on just one individual bankrolling the club you're asking for trouble.

"It's a prudent decision to bring Davie back. I never understood why the previous owners didn't give him more consideration.

"It doesn't take a genius to work out that one of the big problems Livingston have had is a huge turnover in managers.

"They had a good man in Mark Proctor who was well respected and liked by the players.

"And I'm a great believer in the old adage 'If it ain't broke don't fix it'.

"However, new owners have come into the club and it's their prerogative to do what they want to do. You can't criticise anything until it goes wrong."