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Callum Carson

Livingston defender Ayo Obileye believes Lions can clinch European football and heaps praise on assistant manager

Livingston defender Ayo Obileye believes qualifying for Europe is '100 per cent' achievable and admits it would be a remarkable turnaround given their struggles at the start of the season.

The Lions started their campaign with just four points from their first eight games but go into tonight's home clash with Dundee United just a point off fourth place following their 4-0 away win over Dundee on Saturday.

The 27-year-old, who signed in the summer from Queen of the South, said: "If we did get into Europe that would be an amazing achievement for the club, for the team and the gaffer.

“It’s doable, 100 per cent, but we just have to take every game as it comes. I knew I was joining a team that had been top six for the last two years and was capable of pushing on.

“We didn’t start well and you’re thinking, ‘What’s going on here?’ But I always had belief and faith in the team and it’s showing now. We just have to keep it going.

“The boys are performing well and I feel like the win we got over Dundee at the weekend was what was needed.

“In the games previously we got draws when we were creating a lot of chances but in the game at the weekend we put those chances away. It’s a big boost to the confidence.”

The centre-back also heaped praise on assistant manager Marvin Bartley for the work he does with the defence after they picked up their eighth league clean sheet of the campaign at Dens Park.

He said: “The defensive unit works hard with Marv and he puts us through drills and tactics on how we need to do better.

“As a unit we really listen and take in all the information and take that onto the pitch. The defensive unit that we’ve got is good – it’s the best I’ve felt since I’ve been playing professionally.”

He added: “Marv helps more of the defensive side. He does the work and when he tells us the information, we take it on board and you can see it working on the pitch.

“When someone is looking at it from the outside, it’s things you might not see on the pitch. It helps and when it does happen you notice it and realise what it is you should be doing.

“The information we get from Marv and the coaching staff is good and it helps us massively.”

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