Livingston’s Lewis Smith determined to show improvement on return to Premiership

Livingston winger Lewis Smith is intent on showing how much he has developed since he last played in the William Hill Premiership with Hamilton more than four years ago.

The 25-year-old made 36 appearances in the top flight for Accies between August 2018 and May 2021 before they were relegated to the Championship.

Smith feels spending the last four seasons in the lower leagues – three with Hamilton and one with Livi – has helped steel him for his return to the top-flight this term with the newly-promoted Lions.

“It’s been a while now, so I’m looking forward to getting back to playing in the Premiership,” he said ahead of Livi’s first home league game of the season against Falkirk. “Everybody wants to play at the highest level and that’s it in this country.

“I definitely feel like I’m better equipped for it now. I think a few years down in the lower leagues, it gives you a bit of experience and toughens you up a wee bit and stuff like that.

“I think I’m a better player all round the game, so hopefully I can make an impact this year.

“On a personal level, just to help the team as best I can and hopefully chip in with goals and assists. I got a few last year, but hopefully I get some more.”

Livingston took 10 points from their four meetings with Championship title winners Falkirk last term, and Smith is relishing Saturday’s top-flight reunion between the two promoted sides.

“We know what Falkirk are like,” he said. “Obviously we played them last year a few times and managed to win, but we know they’ll be tough opponents.

“We saw that with them winning the league last year and they got a decent result last week too. They’ll be right up for it as well, so it’ll be a tough game, but hopefully we can win.”