Michael Devlin: I’ll do what I can to help Livingston back into Premiership

Michael Devlin declared himself up for the task of trying to lead deflated Livingston out of what he expects to be a “very competitive” Championship next season.

The Lions were officially relegated from the Premiership last weekend and the captain admitted they simply have not been good enough over the campaign.

However, he is intent on honouring his commitment to the club.

“I’ve got a contract for next year so, as it stands, yes,” Devlin said, when asked if he expects to be with Livi next term.

“I’ll need to speak to the manager to see if that’s what he wants as well.

“I understand that when a club gets relegated there’s going to be change and things might not always be the way you would want it to be, so me and the gaffer will have a chat and see what’s best moving forward.

“Having been in the Premiership, we don’t want to have to go down to the Championship but that’s the result of not being good enough all season.

“My job is to turn up every day and do what I’m asked to do and be the best I can possibly be to help the club. That will start next year being in the Championship and doing everything we can to get the club back into the Premiership.”

Devlin admitted it will be “difficult” for Livingston to bounce back at the first attempt, but he sees no reason why they cannot go into the Championship in good fettle despite their top-flight demotion.

“What Dundee United have managed to do has been brilliant in terms of going down and coming straight back up,” he said.

“I think if we can keep the group together, there is enough experience and quality to at least be competitive in what will be a very competitive league next year.

“There’s not going to be a club the size of Dundee United in the league next year, so there will be plenty teams in the Championship thinking there is a brilliant opportunity to go and try and get promoted to the Premiership.

“It would be difficult for any team, but if we can hold on to the core of our squad, I feel we’ll have a good chance.”

The Lions – 10 points adrift at the bottom – still have three top-flight fixtures remaining this term.

“We want to try and win the three games and try and restore a bit of pride,” said Devlin, whose side host St Johnstone on Saturday.

“You don’t want to finish the season as far adrift as we are at the moment, so we want to try and win those last three games and close the gap a little bit to make it look a little bit more respectable.”