Livingston hero hopes winner in Airdrie clash is the first of many goals

Andrew Shinnie opened his account for the season in stunning style with a dramatic late winner over Airdrie and says he backs himself to grab more for Livingston in their push for an immediate return to the Premiership.

The 35-year-old is back at the Lions for a third season - having initially been released by the club after their relegation in the summer - and his return really paid off on Saturday when he rifled home an unstoppable 25-yard strike in the first minute of stoppage time.

It looked like the Lions would have to settle for a point after Airdrie’s Aaron Reid had quickly cancelled out Stephen Kelly’s opener in the first half.

However, Shinnie climbed off the bench with 15 minutes to go and struck to help maintain their unbeaten start to the season, putting them within four points of leaders Ayr United, with two games in hand.

And he said: “It’s a great finish, it’s better late than never.

“We had to grind it out and it is a big three points.

“You try to come on and make an impact and that’s what the subs are for, to try and go on and win the game. Robbie Muirhead came off the bench in the last game and did it for us, and that’s why you make changes.

“We’ve got a lot of threats going forward so if we can look teams out and be good defensively, then we’ll definitely have chances to win games.

“I’ve had chances already this season and there’s been a few I would expect to do better with, so it is good to be getting in those positions. If you aren’t doing it, that’s when you need to look at things.

“I back myself when I get chances and hopefully I can get a few more goals this season.

“You want to be playing at the top level, but it is a good, exciting league and hopefully it will be an exciting season for us. I’m