| Derek has chopped and changed his starting team and, even though some players haven’t featured regularly, Derek feels they still have an important role to play in the fight which Derek hopes will end in promotion to the SPL.
“I’ve said throughout the season that every member of the squad is important and I stand by that,” Derek said.
“Players who have been left out of some games can come in and play vital roles in other matches.
“I have a batch of committed, determine dplayers who are giving their all.”
Left-back Richie Byrne returned to the side which won away to Clyde on Tuesday, and the Livingston game is his last before his loan deal with Inverness Caley Thistle is up.
Midfield man Martin Hardie missed the Clyde game and is unlikely to be risked at Livi.
This week, he received a second set of injections into his troublesome pelvis and it’s hoped the problem will now clear.
“As regards Martin, I trust we will see the benefits of the treatment he’s been getting in the weeks and months ahead,” Derek added.
Striker Collin Samuel, who also missed the Clyde match due to injury, is “50-50” for Livi according to Derek.
“Collin received a dead leg against Ross County so we’ll just have to wait and see how he is.”
Derek felt that, despite losing a goal, his defence was solid against Clyde and it looks as though they’ll be more thoroughly tested tomorrow as Livi have scored four times in each of their last two games. However, Saints will also have noted Livi have conceded six goals in these matches.
“We also had good passing and movement against Clyde. In fact, everybody played well and a few players played exceptionally well,” went on Derek.
One of those who played exceptionally well was Kevin Rutkiewicz. The Saints skipper has been rock-solid at the heart of his team’s defence and he has a major role to play again tomorrow.
Although Saints aren’t playing at McDiarmid Park this weekend, there is a game there tonight. Scotland take on Ireland in an U/20 rugby international and admission is free (7.30). |
