He said: "That's why I didn't want to stress that to the players but in the back of my own mind I was feeling the importance of the result.

"If you go into the next two particular games off the back of a defeat it can be demoralising but we're not going to chuck the towel in before a ball is kicked.

"I do believe that if we get the shape right and make life difficult for Rangers firstly, then Celtic then we give ourselves a chance.

"Last year we weren't able to take anything off either the Old Firm, albeit we had a few narrow defeats but hopefully the next one against Rangers, we will be able to take a positive result away from there."

Salim Kouider-Aissa, signed from League Two side Queen's Park last month, was pleased to make his Livingston debut as a second-half substitute for Alan Forrest but is looking for better to come.

He told the Lions' official Twitter account: "It's not the best way to start the season but we still have a long way to go.

"It would have been nice to be on the winning side but we still have a lot of games to go and I am sure I will get my chance.

"We will assess it on Monday and go again next week."