CRIS HAS CUP HALF FULL AS SCOTT SIGNS

CRISTIAN MONTANO has dubbed today’s basement battle a cup final - and Livingston have added a big game player in Scott Arfield just in time.

- BY MICHAEL BAILLIE

Silverware is not on the line in West Lothian but Montano knows the prize of kick-starting their survival push is there for David Martindale's charges.

Livi’s hopes of closing the gap to second-bottom Killie in midweek were scuppered as freezing temperatures kiboshed their clash with St Mirren.

Midfielder Arfield, 37, has checked in since then, declaring it’s “as special” for his family as well given he’s a hometown boy.

Now he and his new teammates have the chance to move within a point of Killie with a game in hand still to play.

Montano said: “It can work both ways because it gives you more time to prepare and get more rest but it would also have been an opportunity to put things right from Saturday.

“We've got to deal with it and focus on what is a cup final. They're the nearest team to us, we know how many points they are in front and we know we need the points.