League Cup Final Preview

On Sunday the 28th of February at Hampden Park, St. Johnstone and Livingston will battle it out for the League Cup trophy. Both teams will be raring to go in a huge game for their fanbases. It is arguably the best chance of either side ever to win the league cup with both Celtic and Rangers knocked out before the Semi-final stage, presenting an opportunity of a lifetime.

How The Teams Got Here

Livingston

'Livi' finished top of Betfred Cup Group H after winning all of their 4 games, beating Alloa Athletic, Edinburgh City, Airdrieonians and Stenhousemuir. Finishing on 12 points they went into the next stage as a seeded team and were drawn against Ayr United at home. A comprehensive 4-0 victory at the Toni Macaroni against the "honest men" ensured the "lions" roared into the next round. In the Quarter-finals Livingston were then put against giant slayers Ross County (who had defeated Celtic 2-0 at Celtic Park in the previous round), once again in their own backyard. A relatively comfortable 2-0 victory meant that they strolled into the semi-finals. A trip to Hampden against St. Mirren (who had knocked rangers out in the previous round) was beckoning. 'Livi' ran out winners in a narrow 1-0 victory against Jim Goodwin's side, with a 10th minute Scott Robinson winner being enough to put his side into the final.

[Robinson celebrates winner over St. Mirren with teammates - Image: Sky Sports]

St. Johnstone

St. Johnstone also finished top of their Betfred Cup group, picking up a solid 10 points in Group C. 3 wins against Peterhead, Brechin City and Kelty Hearts coupled with a 0-0 draw at McDiarmid Park to Tayside rivals Dundee United (which the Perth outfit proceeded to lose 4-3 on penalties, missing out on a bonus point). St. Johnstone didn't go into the next stage as a seeded team, and therefore played Motherwell at Fir Park in a tricky away tie. 'saints' triumphed 2-1, coming back from 1-0 down. This put them into the Quarter-finals where they drew Dunfermline Athletic away at East End Park. Despite large periods of dominance throughout the 90 the championship outfit held St. Johnstone to 0-0. The game went to extra time and ex-par Rooney broke the deadlock with a volley. After a flurry of chances St. Johnstone couldn't put the game to bed and were pegged back by an Ian Wilson goal in the 113th. After a convincing set of penalties St. Johnstone came out on top winning 4-3. 'Saints' then drew competition favourites Hibernian in the semi-finals. Against the odds Davidson's side humbled 'hibs' 3-0 at Hampden in a corker of a game, which made sure that it would be the team from Perth playing in the final.

[Liam Gordon challenges with Martin Boyle in semi-final victory - Image: Mark Runnacles - Getty Images]

Players To Look Out For

Livingston

Livingston have a very good overall squad, with some players who have been especially great this season. Here is a rundown of some of their key men.

Scott Robinson

Scott Robinson is a 28 year old midfielder who has played 112 games for Livingston since his arrival in 2017. Robinson came through the 'Hearts' youth system, and signed his first professional contract in 2008. He would go on to spend 7 years in and around the hearts first team, with his highlights including featuring in the Europa League against Tottenham Hotspur, scoring against Rangers and being part of the 2012 Scottish Cup triumph.

In 2015 Robinson made the decision to leave Hearts and joined Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock. Despite signing a 3-year contract Robinson soon found himself out of favour at Rugby Park and was released in early 2016. In March of that year he then joined Dunfermline Athletic. After struggling to establish himself for the 'pars' he subsequently left, following only 2 appearances for the club. Next for Robinson was fife rivals, East Fife where we played 23 games and managed more regular football under his belt again.

Following the 16/17 campaign, Robinson signed a pre-contract agreement with then Scottish Championship side Livingston. He has endured a successful time with the 'lions' and seems much more settled in West Lothian. This season Robinson has really shone, especially under new boss Martindale. The midfielder is joint-third top scorer for Livingston this season, having the best "minutes/goal" ratio in the entire team, at 355 minutes per conversion this campaign, as well as notching a solitary assist in what has been a so far prolific season. Robinson is a good player with bags of quality and experience, he won't make life easy for the St. Johnstone midfield.

[Scott Robinson for Livingston in 2018 - Image: @SNS]

Jon Guthrie

Jon Guthrie is a 28 year old English centre back who joined Livingston in August 2019, playing 64 games since his arrival. He began his career at Crew Alexandra signing professionally in 2012 and playing 137, scoring a single goal. He then left the Cheshire outfit in 2017 when he headed to Walsall. Guthrie would go on to play on 101 times in the west midlands, scoring 3 goals in a 2 year spell.

Guthrie then headed up North to West Lothian in 2019 to Scottish Premiership side Livingston. The 5'10 centre back has enjoyed a largely good spell under Gary Holt and now David Martindale, maintaining a key presence in the 'Livi' back line. In the 64 games the number 27 has played for Livingston he has recorded a remarkable 10 goals, with 5 of those coming this season alone. The defender has also managed an assist while becoming his sides main goal threat, leading the Livingston scoring charts in February! Guthrie will be difficult to get past and a constant set piece threat to watch out for on Sunday.

[Guthrie and his manager - Image: Ian MacNicol - Getty Images]

Scott Pittman

Scott Pittman is another 28 year old Livingston player, taking up a forward role in the team. Pittman began his professional career at Alloa in 2011 before spending 3 years without a club until he joined Bo'ness United in 2014. After only making 5 senior appearances in his entire career in 2015 he made the switch to Livingston.

After joining 'livi' in 2015 Pittman had a disappointing first season, only recording 2 goals as the club were relegated down to League One. Pittman then only made a handful of in the third division of Scottish football as his side gained promotion. The 2017/18 season was a successful one for Livingston as they gained promotion to the Scottish Premiership, with Pittman recording a career best 4 goals in the process.

Since promotion to the Premiership Pittman has seen a revival at the Toni Macaroni, reviving his Livingston career many could argue after a somewhat underwhelming couple of seasons beforehand. In 2018/19 he had the best season goals-wise in his professional career scoring 6 and assisting two in his maiden year as a top flight player. Another 3 goals last campaign as the season was curtailed was a solid showing under Gary Holt. This season Pittman has continued a good vein of form in a team not renowned for its goal scoring prowess, bagging 5 already, coupled with 2 assists. Since joining the club Scott Pittman has played 255 games, with a return of 35 goals. Pittman is a tricky player to handle and will ask questions of the St. Johnstone backline.

[Scott Pittman in action against Hamilton this season - Image: Paul Devil @SNS]

St. Johnstone

Perennial overachievers St. Johnstone have a squad with many talented players, below are a few of their key men.

Shaun Rooney

Known by many 'saintees' as the "Bellshill Cafu" Shaun Rooney is a 24 year old right back. Rooney started his professional career at Queens Park in 2013, playing 41 times before exiting for Dunfermline Athletic in 2015. Despite the 2015/16 campaign being a successful one for the 'pars' winning League One and with it promotion back to the Scottish Championship, Rooney barely featured, only making 14 appearances. The defender was subsequently released and headed off to York City. After 38 appearances down south Rooney made the trip back up North and signed for Queen of the South in 2017. After a fruitful campaign in Dumfries he then headed further north up to the Highlands in 2018 with Inverness. Rooney would play 77 games, scoring an impressive 9 goals, for the championship side before signing a pre-contract agreement with St. Johnstone.

After Joining 'saints' in July he has become a cult hero in Perth, despite having a slow start to life under new boss Callum Davidson he maintained a good attitude. Rooney fought off competition from the excellent McNamara, taking his chance after the Irishman's sudden recall and becoming a crucial part of the St. Johnstone side in defence and attack. So far the wing-back has recorded 4 goals and an assist this season, with his crucial goals in the Quarter and Semi Finals being extremely important in St. Johnstone's road to the final on Sunday. Standing at a whopping 6'3 Rooney has been a major attacking threat for St. Johnstone and is certainly one to look out for at Hampden.

[Rooney heads the ball - Image: @SNS]

Ali McCann

Ali McCann is a 21 year old Northern Ireland international. Playing in central midfield, he is seen as one of St. Johnstone's most valuable assets and one of the best players they possess. The number 18 is incredibly versatile, being able to defend and attack, even filling in at wing-back on one occasion this season. McCann began his professional career in 2017 at St. Johnstone making 6 appearances across the next 2 years before heading out on loan to Stranraer, where he notched 1 goal in 13 appearances.

McCann then returned home to Perth where he instantly became a main stay in Tommy Wright's midfield in the 19/20 season. This didn't go unnoticed and despite being born in Edinburgh he was called up for the Northern Ireland squad through family ties and has since gone on to make numerous squads, earning 2 caps, including playing in the nations league against Austria. McCann has played 73 games for St. Johnstone before his 22nd birthday, scoring 6 goals in this time. Ali is a midfield battler and will certainly give the Livingston players a tricky test in this final.

[Ali McCann and Allan Campbell contest for the ball - Image: Motherwell FC]

Guy Melamed

Guy Melamed is a 28 year old Israeli, with Lithuanian heritage, who wears the number 17 shirt for St. Johnstone. Melamed plays as a striker and joined St. Johnstone earlier this season. He began his professional career in 2011 at Hapoel Kfar Saba, where he would play 41 times scoring a respectable 10 goals. In 2013 he then moved to Maccabi Petah Tivka FC where he only made 7 appearances before spending a half season on loan at Maccabi Herzilya where he scored 6 in 15. Upon returning to his parent club he would go on to play on 100 occasions, notching 24 goals in the process over a 3 year spell for the side.

This drew the attention of Hapoel Be’er Sheva, one of the most successful teams in Isael, who he would then join for the 2017/18 season. During this campaign Guy played 24 games, returning 8 goals before being shipped off to Maccabi Netanya. In 72 games for the club Melamed scored 21 times before leaving in the summer of 2020.

Then in October, Melamed hooked up with St. Johnstone on a free transfer. Despite a slow start to life in Scotland, especially in such a difficult time, the striker has had a successful spell so far. Once he got going he has been on fire for Callum Davidson's team, scoring 4 and assisting 2 in limited minutes, as well as forming a prolific partnership with Chris Kane. If Melamed is given the nod to start on Sunday he will be a box of tricks for the Livingston defence and you'd certainly be surprised if he wasn't involved in a goal or two based off of his recent performances if he does feature.

[Guy Melamed in action this season - Image: @SNS]

Injuries

Luckily for both sides it would appear that there are very few players who will miss the occasion on Sunday through injury. For Livingston Alan Lithgow (Hip) and Keaghan Jacobs (Foot) are both doubts for the game. For St. Johnstone Murray Davidson (Calf) is reportedly 50/50 to be involved, with Wotherspoon recovering from his minor groin strain picked up in the thrashing of Motherwell last week.

Previous League Cup Performances

Livingston's only ever trophy won was of course the 2003/2004 League Cup triumph over Hibernian, after they defeated the team from the capital 2-0 in the final. 'Livi' fans will certainly be hoping that Sunday is a repeat of that campaign.

St. Johnstone will be looking to make this 3rd time lucky, losing both of their previous League Cup finals in 1970 and 1999. The Perth side's only trophy being the 2014 Scottish Cup, that success will be fresh in the minds of the supporters and players.

The 20/21 Season So Far

This is David Martindale and Callum Davidson's first seasons as full time managers, with both wanting to grasp their chances of becoming legends for their clubs in their maiden years as coaches. In the league so far Livingston sit in an impressive 5th place, amassing 40 points in their opening 29 games. St. Johnstone are slightly below their cup final counterparts in 8th, picking up 33 points from 30 games so far this campaign. The previous meetings between these sides this season have all been close affairs. A 2-0 Livingston win at the beginning of the season at the Toni Macaroni, as well as a 2-1 Livingston triumph at McDiarmid Park have 'Livi' winning the head to head, although St. Johnstone did win the most recent encounter 2-1 in West Lothian.

[Ambrose and Rooney duel in recent clash - Image: Sammy Turner - @SNS]

Match Preview

Sunday is set to be an incredibly tight match between two closely matched sides, with little to split the squads. I think the first goal will be crucial in this contest as both teams have very solid back lines. However, anything can happen at Hampden in a cup final. Who ever the winning team is, the players and fans will be delighted to clinch their second piece of silverware of the millennium.