BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
KEVIN THOMSON has confirmed that he has enquired about the vacancy at Premiership newcomers Livingston after declaring himself ready for the challenge of front-line management.
The former Scotland, Hibernian and Middlesbrough midfielder is currently coaching the under-13s at another of his old clubs, Rangers, while he operates his own academy for youngsters based in Edinburgh.
The 33-year-old has been listed alongside the likes of John Hartson, Kenny Miller and Jim Duffy in the list of contenders to replace David Hopkin at the Tony Macaroni following his shock resignation just 11 days after leading the club to promotion.
And Thomson has thrown his hat firmly in the right for the post.
“I’ve enquired about it to see what their thoughts were,” he revealed. “Do I want the job? I’d be interested in it. It’s a great job, a big job and I want to aim as high as I can as a young coach.”
“I could take the job tomorrow and I’d be comfortable in doing it.
“It will be a tough job but the fundamentals are there. It’s always been a good club and one I enjoyed playing against when I first broke through. They had a really good team at the time, Lee Makel, [Steve] Lovell, David Fernandez, big Marvin Andrews.
“It was always a team that I used to like and obviously it’s close to home as well. So these are things, when you put yourself in the position to take that step, that tick the right boxes.
“But the one thing about me is I’m very relaxed. I’ve got a great role at Rangers.”
While Thomson is not short of self-belief, he is buoyed by the rise of Steven Gerrard, new Derby boss Frank Lampard and Fleetwood Town’s rookie manager Joey Barton to positions of prominence.
“That’s great for me to see as a young coach,” added Thomson, speaking at the Scottish FA UEFA B Licence taking place at Oriam, Edinburgh.
“Things are changing, aren’t they? Frank Lampard just got a job, so did Joey Barton, so people are coming out of the game and being given opportunities.
“When you become a top player, you believe in yourself. People might think that is arrogant or you are too big for your boots, but if we don’t believe in ourselves, then no-one else will.”
