Half-term report card, Livingston: Consistency will deliver survival for these Lions

Steady as she goes.

Last season, the West Lothian outfit finished ninth in the table.

Their haul of 44 points from 38 games worked out at an average of 1.16 points per game.

At the end of the first half of the current campaign, they sit in a creditable fifth.

With 25 points from 21 fixtures, their points-per- game ratio is also up – but only slightly at 1.19.

Together they add up to a tale of remarkable consistency since their promotion from the Championship.

It has not been dull, either.

The stirring 2-0 win over Celtic at the Tony Macaroni Arena in October was a highlight. Not just of Livi’s year, but also of Scottish football’s season so far.

Wins of that magnitude will remain the exception rather than the rule. But there is nothing to suggest they won’t continue to give all the top-flight teams a game from now until May.

Most importantly, given the problems elsewhere, they looked locked on to achieve the Premiership survival, which would have been their aim before a ball was kicked.

STAR MAN

Lyndon Dykes. As the campaign to get the Australian-born striker a Scotland call-up suggests, Dykes has been one of the stories of the season.

Six feet, two inches tall, and unapologetically physical in his playing style when the occasion merits it, the 24-year-old has been a handful for all defenders.

Following Celtic’s shock defeat, Hoops star Christopher Jullien was frank in his admission he had not coped with Dykes.

As his slick hat-trick against Ross County proved, he has plenty of pace and finishing ability, too.

If Steven Lawless can continue to give him the quality of service he has received so far, this term, there is no reason why he shouldn’t finish the season as strongly as he has started it.

PROSPECTS

A tricky question since, as mentioned, the Lions are already doing away quite nicely.

Being picky, they could look to Dykes to try to increase his scoring rate, with his eight goals so far not really reflecting his impact on the Scottish top flight.

Likewise, while their return of seven draws is not the worst record in the division (St Johnstone have eight), it isn’t great either.

Turn a couple of them into wins – a feat which should not be beyond them by any stretch – and they will find themselves in an even more comfortable position in the league.