Mackay SPL Dream Is On

Sep 7 2008 By Euan Mclean

Livingston V Partick Thistle Today, Kick-Off 3.00pm

LIVINGSTON stopper Dave Mackay insists he is happy to stay at Almondvale now the team have proved they possess the class to get him back to the top-flight.

The 28-year-old slapped in a summer transfer request in the hope of landing a move back to the SPL and was gutted when the club snubbed a £50,000 bid from Motherwell.

But the defender - who starred for Livi in the Premier League before they were relegated in 2006 - admits he's now happy to remain with Roberto Landi's side as they've shown they have what it takes to win promotion this season.

Mackay, who will start against Partick today in the ALBA Challenge Cup, said: "My only reason for wanting to leave was so I could play in the SPL again.

"When the new owners came in the management were talking about a two-year plan to get back to the SPL.

"I felt that after spending two years playing in Division One I couldn't afford to hang around for another two.

"I thought that would be damaging to my career.

"The fact the club refused bids for me and James McPake just before the transfer window closed says a lot about the level of ambition here now.

"It shows they are determined to hold on to their players, build a squad and I must say it's nice to be wanted.

"But I am happy to stay now anyway as the results we have had in recent weeks have made me change my view of things.

"I now believe I could be playing SPL football next season with Livingston.

"I'm happy to stay and help us challenge for the title and there is a real belief in the squad now that we can do it.

"The new owners have brought stability to the club and I think we have surprised even ourselves with how well we've started the season."

Meanwhile, Jags hitman Mark Roberts admits he is desperate to get his season going again today after shrugging off his injury woes.

Roberts netted in the first match of the season in the ALBA Cup only to limp out of the next game after pulling a hamstring.

Now the 32-year-old is back to full fitness and hopes the Alba Challenge Cup can again be the springboard he needs to make a big impact in Ian McCall's starting 11.

Roberts said: "It has been a really frustrating month as I started the season bang on form, scoring in the cup game and then playing well in the league against Dunfermline before I had to go off injured.

"It took three weeks before my hamstring felt 100 per cent again and in that time Simon Donnelly has come in and been different class.

"But hopefully the Challenge Cup will be lucky for me again.

"The competition has been good for me in the past, having won it with Airdrie, and it is important despite some people talking it down.

"Players and fans don't get many chances to experience cup finals and winning silver ware, especially at this level, so it is a big thing to us."