GARY HOLT insists Livingston won’t use their quick turnaround as an excuse after going down 1-0 at Ibrox on Sunday.

The Lions’ Premiership clash with Rangers was postponed after a lunchtime inspection on Saturday after Storm Dennis left the pitch unplayable.

Holt was keen to reschedule the game for Monday but the SPFL ruled that it should take place on Sunday to avoid further fixture congested as a result of Rangers’ Europa League run and upcoming tie with Braga.

It was to prove a frustrating afternoon for the visitors as Scott Arfield netted the only goal of the game to give Steven Gerrard’s side a battling victory.

Keeper Allan McGregor denied Aymen Souda with a terrific close-range block and striker Lyndon Dykes hit the post in the closing minutes as Livi chased an equaliser.

And boss Holt was encouraged with the performance of his side as they competed well on a miserable afternoon at Ibrox.

He said: “Considering the conditions I thought it was a really good game of football between two sides bang at it. Both teams knew it wouldn’t be pretty given the wind and rain but both teams coped really well.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t get something out of the game and I wondered why Lyndon was shooting at his effort off the post as I thought he could have taken a touch - but that’s why he’s a striker and I wasn’t.

“Allan McGregor had a great save from Aymen before that as well and Ryan had a wonder save for us in the first half.

“I told the players not to use the quick rearrangement of the game as an excuse. I told them not to come in after the game and say we didn’t have time to prep right and it wasn’t our usual routine.

“The game was on, we accepted it and got on with it. It wasn’t ideal but both teams approached it in the right manner and went about it in the right way.”