Livingston finished a remarkable season by gaining promotion to the Scottish Premier League via the play-offs. As a newly promoted club, Livingston's initial aim was to avoid relegation back to League 1, but as the season wore on the promotion play-offs looked inevitable. They took their strong form into the play-off final and defeated Partick Thistle in both legs. Given their playing budget, consecutive promotions represent a magnificent feat for the West Lothian team.
With the clear aim of consolidation in the Championship, Livingston began the season with only one win in their opening five matches. At that point it looked like being a struggle. However, five wins and a draw in their next six games suggested otherwise. Poor form towards the end of 2017 put the play-offs in doubt, but a run of only one defeat in 15 games in 2018 confirmed Livingston in 2nd place. Livingston were well-drilled, fit and a strong match for anybody they would meet in the play-offs.
Dundee United were defeated 4-3 on aggregate in the play-off semi-final, leaving Livingston to face Partick Thistle in the final. The Lions triumphed 2-1 in the home leg and then won 1-0 at Firhill in the return leg to secure their place in the Scottish Premier League.
The Lions were regarded as a physical team, but in their own eyes they were merely fit and energetic in their style of play. They used a dominant back three of Alan Lithgow, Declan Gallagher and Craig Halkett throughout the season to great effect in a rigid 3-5-2 formation. Set plays were a particular source of goals as Livingston finished the season with the best away record in the Championship.
Livingston have come a long way in a short period of time. The shadow of reckless financial behaviour has not left them yet, but they can hopefully rebuild trust in the West Lothian community and start drawing fans back to watch them. They will of course be relegation favourites next season, but manager David Hopkin seems up for the challenge.
