IT took Jack Hamilton all of 20 minutes on Sunday to justify Livingston’s decision to recall him from his loan spell at East Fife.
The 20-year-old entered the fray with the scores tied in his side’s match with Ross County. And, he played a key role in their second goal before adding a third of his own in stoppage time to ensure the three points stayed in West Lothian.
READ MORE: Panini launch official Scotland campaign sticker collection ahead of Euro 2020
"We played well, and it was nice for me to come on and get a goal especially since I've just come back from going out on loan,” he said after the match.
"Davie Martindale mentioned it to me a couple of weeks ago that I was maybe getting recalled. And I managed to score a couple more goals at East Fife and he's decided to recall me.
"I learned a lot {on loan}. I developed really well. Kevin Smith helped me out a lot, Ryan Wallace and the manager Darren Young were all great for me. I feel like I've really kicked on.”
That Hamilton was given the nod at such a crucial time in the match demonstrates the hope his club have that he will become a mainstay in the side.
Martindale is not at all short of striking options, with Scott Tiffoney left on the bench at the weekend and Gavin Reilly and Matej Poplatnik not even in the squad. A goal therefore would have done no harm to Hamilton’s chances in the coming weeks.
“The manager just told me to go and work hard and take my chance,” continued the forward.
"Hopefully, I can get as much game time as I can now. The goal I scored won't do me any harm. I would love to start and be involved in as many games as I can from now on."
READ MORE: Hibs sign former Ross County midfielder Jackson Irvine following Hull City exit
As they prepare to face Aberdeen tonight, Livingston are riding the crest of a wave. Chasing a ninth straight win in all competitions.
"We're very comfortable and confident at the moment. Everyone is happy in the squad and Ithink we are playing well, we're all working hard for each other in training and in games,” added Hamilton.
"We demand a lot from each other and it has showed."
"We have a lot of really tough games coming up and we will have to involved the whole squad.
"We have Aberdeen on Wednesday, then we play Celtic twice in a row home and away before we have the Betfred Cup semi-final.
"We need to take each challenge as it comes, but the aim for me is to be involved in as many games as I can.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here