Livingston have fifth and European qualification in their sights today - but, whatever happens, Josh Mullin is adamant they will still start next season just trying to stay in the Premiership yet again.

When the winger first joined the Lions in 2016 they were fresh from the bodyblow of relegation to League One.

So, he knows as well as any just how much it would mean for the West Lothian club to enjoy consecutive fifth-place finishes, and only a second-ever continental adventure in its history.

Since returning to the top-flight in 2018 following dramatic back-to-back promotions, they have comfortably avoided dropping down into the Championship.

Victory over St Johnstone this afternoon will seal fifth for the second year in a row and, if Hibs win the Scottish Cup next weekend, a place in the inaugural Europa Conference League this summer.

But Mullin, who returned to the club in October after two years at Ross County, insists there will be no-one at Almondvale forgetting how far the club has progressed in recent times.

He said: “It all comes down to Saturday. It’s good that we’ve got something to play for on the last day of the season.

“There’s no added pressure. We are not playing to try and stay in the division. We are playing for fifth place, which would be a massive achievement for Livingston.

“One hundred per cent, we would have taken this position before the season started and I’m sure all the fans would have as well.

“We’d have taken top-six all day long but factor in the cup final as well and it has been a great season.

"I joined Livingston from Albion Rovers after they had been relegated and we played in League One. It’s been step by step from there but for the club to get into Europe would be huge.

“On and off the field it's evolved massively. It's a club that has everything in place to be a top-six Premiership club.

“We are hoping fifth place can get a European spot. But St Johnstone are a good team and it will come down to who wants to go out and get that fifth spot. 

“That's two seasons in a row where we've finished top-six but the conversations at the start of next season will just be looking to maintain Premiership football. Top-six won't be mentioned.

“That's always the aim and the conversations we have at the club but I think we have to take confidence from the last two seasons.

“We've shown what we can do, so there's no reason we can't do it again next year.”

Livingston conceded fifth place to St Johnstone a fortnight ago, with only two goals separating the teams on goal difference.

It leaves the Lions needing a win at McDiarmid Park and Mullin confesses there would be a sweet taste to victory after February’s loss to Saints in the Betfred Cup final.

He added: “We don't want to get too caught up in revenge. They won on the day and I think overall they maybe deserved it. 

“We'll not think too much about it. But if we're being honest it would be good to get a result against them after the cup final and with fifth place then maybe being good enough for Europe.”