Scott Robinson ruled out for Livingston as striker crisis worsens

Dolly Menga, Lee Miller and Ryan Hardie are all out of Saturday's clash with Motherwell

Published 29th Nov 2018

Livingston's striker curse has struck again after stand-in forward Scott Robinson was all but ruled out of the visit of Motherwell.

The midfielder stood in for the suspended Dolly Menga and injured Lee Miller, Ryan Hardie and Rafa De Vita during the 3-0 defeat by Rangers but went off with a hamstring injury.

The former Hearts player looks set to miss Saturday's Ladbrokes Premiership encounter along with Alan Lithgow and a player that manager Gary Holt declined to name.

Menga will serve the second match of his suspension for headbutting Celtic's Ryan Christie while the other three strikers remain out having together missed the bulk of the campaign.

"Robbo came off with his hamstring on Saturday and big Al was feeling his and now he's been off ill,'' Holt said. "I don't think those two will make it and we have another boy who's not back in until Monday because he's ill. That's part and parcel of football at this time of year.

"It's now an opportunity for other lads to think 'well, he's out, he's out, he's out, I might have a chance of playing here'. So impress in training, impress in reserve games and when you get a chance in the first team, go out and impress.

"So far this season, we have certainly had that. Anyone who has come in has done their job to the best of their ability and generally we've got a good result.''

Jack Hamilton replaced Robinson at Ibrox and the 18-year-old could be set for his first start since scoring in Holt's first game in charge, against St Mirren in August.

"He's got a chance,'' Holt said. "All the boys have got to see a pathway, they have got to have the carrot that if there are suspensions or injuries or illness, am I going to get a chance, or there is no point having them in the building.

"Whether he starts or is involved in the game, it's down to Jack whether he's done enough. But we will only find out on Saturday.'