Summary
JOHN Robertson, like Denry in Arnold Bennett's "The Card", is good at cheering people up. Having just taken charge of a Livingston side anchored at the bottom of the SPL, seven points adrift of Dunfermline Athletic, the former Scotland player could be forgiven for sniffing trepidation in the air at Almondvale as his old club, Hearts, prepare to visit tomorrow in the company of the TV cameras.
Instead, the mood in West Lothian is purposeful and relaxed. Trying to lift a side which has won only two out of 27 league games would surely tax a whole army of motivational speakers, self-help gurus and sports psychologists. Robertson, though, seems to be working the trick on his own thanks to a combination of good- humoured encouragement and old fashioned coaching acumen. When it comes to football, the man who scored 311 goals for Hearts has an insider's understanding of the striker's black art.See the full content of this document
Extract
Robertson at Peace with Hearts and Refs
The fact Robertson can analyse the game with a smile on his face shouldn't be mistaken for lack of professionalism. This is a man who believes the paying customer is entitled to be entertained. "I'll never set out a team to draw a game," he insists. But when it comes to discussing Livingston's prospects of clinging on to SPL membership, Robertson couldn't be more serious when he confides he's already planning next season's campaign on the basis the club will still be...
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