ON-LOAN Rangers goalkeeper Robby McCrorie today admitted he is determined to be involved in more Hampden finals despite being unable to prevent Livingston losing the Betfred Cup decider to St Johnstone at Hampden yesterday.
McCrorie got the nod to start for the West Lothian club ahead of Max Stryjek from his manager David Martindale – but the Scotland Under-21 player was unable to prevent Callum Davidson’s men from winning 1-0.
However, the 22-year-old, who managed to get a hand to the first-half Shaun Rooney header that ultimately decided the match, admitted the experience had made him keen to sample more similar occasions in future.
"I think the game probably went as we expected it - two teams doing everything not to lose a goal and a set piece separated us,” he said. “We did everything we could to try and get back into the game, but, unfortunately, we didn’t manage to do that. St Johnstone cleared their lines well and we were missing that we needed to get back into it.
"The goal was just one of them. I got a fingertip to it, but I was so close but so far away. On another day I get my fingertip on it and it hits the post. It’s disappointing because we do so much work on set-pieces to try and clear our lines so to lose the game that way was disappointing.
“I love playing football and I wanted to be involved in games like this more in future. It is what it’s all about. I would like to play every week, but I know I need to work hard in training to get opportunities like this. I’m out on loan to learn.”
Livingston have enjoyed an excellent 2020/21 campaign and are currently in fifth place in the Premiership table and in with a chance of securing a top six finish and possibly even a European place.
McCrorie is confident the loss to St Johnstone won’t have a negative impact on Martindale’s men and is hopeful they can bounce back from the painful result in the league game against his parent club in at the Tony Macaroni Stadium on Wednesday evening.
“Unfortunately we did not win the final but the only thing we can do is make sure it does not define our season,” he said. “We need to kick on and learn as much as we can and make sure we finish as strongly as we can.
"The manager said at the end of the game that we can’t let this define our season. It was a huge game for the club and everyone was desperate to try and do it for the fans and the staff. But we need to stick together and emerge stronger from this.
“It was a great achievement to reach the final. What’s happened at the club this season has been unbelievable, but the season is not over yet. At the end of the season we will be judged on where we are come the last game. We can be proud but there’s more to come from us.
“Everyone in the dressing room is gutted but this team is more than capable of coming together when times are tough and pushing through.”
McCrorie admitted he was disappointed for Martindale, who previously served time in jail for drug dealing and was only passed as a fit and proper person by the SFA back in January, when Livingston lost the final.
But he has no doubts his manager will be full focused on ending their season on a high.
“What a story it would have been for the club and him if we had won,” he said. “Unfortunately it did not come off that way. But he will be as determined as all of us to try and put it right. We all want to have as successful a career as possible and get the most out of every day we are at our work. We all want to do the best we 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 hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel