BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
LIVINGSTON star Scott Pittman is adamant departed boss David Hopkin is destined to take English football by storm after insisting there will be no hard feelings in the Lions’ dressing room.
Livi yesterday confirmed that Hopkin had rejected the offer of a new contract with the West Lothian outfit, officially leaving the club just 11 days after masterminding their ‘dream’ rise to the Premiership.
It is understood the 47-year-old sees his future south of the border – ruling out a switch to St Mirren – and Bradford City are the latest club to be credited with an interest, following Shrewsbury Town chief executive Brian Caldwell revealing the in-demand coach was on their radar.
While Pittman was acutely aware of the speculation, Hopkin’s exit still hit hard.
Nevertheless, he knows it is impossible to grudge his old gaffer a new challenge and firmly believes he will prove to be a roaring success.
“You hear rumours, like everyone else, so there was that degree of uncertainty,” said the 24-year-old. “No-one really knew what the gaffer was thinking and whether he would fancy staying for another year in the Premiership.
“There is a disappointment as the gaffer has done brilliantly for us and the boys loved playing under him, but he has earned the chance to move on.
“When your stock is high, you have big decisions to make. It was a dream season for us last year and it’s only natural that there will be people looking at players and the manager. That is part-and-parcel of football and he deserves a crack at another job if that’s what he wants.
“I don’t think there will be any hard feelings among the players. He has done an incredible job and nothing will ever take that away.
“I’ve no doubt that he’ll do a really good job wherever he goes and, if that’s a side in League One or Two in England, I don’t think it will be long before he is managing at a really high level down there. He is that good.”
Hopkin, formerly assistant to Mark Burchill, took the reins in December 2015 when the former Celtic striker was dismissed, but was unable to stop the club from suffering relegation from the Championship.
A complete clear-out followed and Pittman, one of a handful of players to survive the cull in League 1, reckons it proved a blessing in disguise for the club – and for the relatively inexperienced boss.
“When a team is relegated it is make-or-break and, looking back, it was the best thing that could have happened to us,” continued Pittman, who scored against Dundee United and Partick Thistle during Livi’s successful playoff campaign.
“Back to back promotions in any circumstances are great but, coming from the position we were in, it was remarkable. Most of the credit needs to go to the gaffer for that.”
While Livingston’s rise has been laudable, Pittman’s progress has been nothing short of meteoric.
The combative midfielder was plucked from Junior outfit Bo’ness United in January 2015 and has heaped praise on the influence of Hopkin on his journey from part-time player to impending Premiership star.
“He has been at the club since the first day I walked in,” the former Alloa youngster added. “He played at the highest level with teams like Chelsea and Leeds and you just need to take on board everything he says and be willing to learn – because he’s got plenty to teach.
“I’ll always be grateful for the part he’s played in my career.”
Excitement
Nevertheless, Pittman knows Livingston must swiftly prepare for life after Hopkin and, as he looks ahead to unforgettable clashes with the likes of Celtic and Rangers, he has vowed that the Lions will not wilt following the shock exit.
“We still need to look forward and be positive. It’s going to be a great year for us,” added Pittman. “We are in a division we never expected to be in and can look forward to visiting places like Ibrox and Parkhead, which hasn’t quite sunk in yet!
“Nothing will take away that excitement for the fans and players and, regardless of who is in charge on the opening day of the season, we’ll be out to do ourselves justice.”
