Duffy: We need to be a lot better than last time

Manager Jim Duffy says his players will have learned from their recent Irn-Bru Cup loss against Livingston and that they must be a lot better when they welcome David Hopkin’s side back to Cappielow on league business this weekend.

When asked for his thoughts on facing the same opposition in such close proximity to the Irn-Bru Cup clash, Duffy said:

“The last game showed us how organised and disciplined Livingston are. They know how to do their jobs and do it very well, very consistently.

“Playing them so recently gives you an understanding of how they play and tells our players that unless they are equally committed, they’re going to be in for a very diffcult afternoon.

“That game was a couple of weeks ago or so now, and what we have to do now is look at this game on its own merits.

“No two games are exactly the same but the principles can be the same, and what we have to do is play a lot better than we did, to do everything a lot quicker and sharper.”

Duffy was pleased with the response shown in the 1-1 draw at Inverness Caledonian Thistle last Saturday, however, and is looking for more of the same on Saturday, adding:

“I was delighted with the second-half performance last week against Inverness. I thought we were terrific and really took the game to a team who had just been relegated.

“We showed a great response [to the Livingston loss] really, and if we can get that type of performance then we’re in with a good shout.”

Image: Gary Bradley