Livingston

Image source, SNS

Livingston manager David Martindale says he takes full ownership of the club's current plight, but insists everyone is doing their utmost to avoid relegation.

The West Lothian outfit are rooted to the bottom of the Scottish Premiership, 10 points behind Ross County in 11th with eight games remaining.

Martindale revealed he and the players regularly have meetings regarding their struggles, but that ultimately, "actions speak louder than words".

“We have had that conversation with the group on multiple occasions," he said. "The players have had that conversation as a group on multiple occasions. Everybody in this club cares. Players, staff, we have all done everything we can.

“We are not out of it yet. I understand how difficult it is and understand how big that hole is we are in. All those things we talk about we have done them. But actions speak louder than words.

“I can’t sit here and point the finger at the players. I can’t sit here and point the fingers at the staff. I have to take responsibility for that.”

Image source, SNS

Livingston manager David Martindale has been talking to the media before his side's Scottish Premiership clash with Celtic on Sunday.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Says the job this season has been even more difficult than he envisaged, and says "until the club gets cleaned up in terms of its ownership", external investment won't be possible.

• Regular meetings are held with players about the predicament they are in, and says "everybody cares".

• When asked how they can beat Celtic, he says the simple answer is to score more goals than they do.

• Martindale is disappointed by the news that Crawford Allan will step down as the Scottish FA's head of referee operations, but he is not surprised.

• Also added he is pleased for James Penrice, who has signed a pre-contract deal to sign for Hearts in the summer.

Livingston host Celtic in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, knowing they simply have to start winning games if they want to avoid relegation this season.

Who would you like to see start against the champions? Pick your Livi XI for the game here.

Image source, SNS

Livingston have had a miserable season at both ends of the pitch.

David Martindale's side have scored the least amount of goals in the top flight (20), and conceded the most (52) - form that sees them 10 points adrift.

Livi have not troubled opponents from set-pieces or from wide positions, with a measly two goals from corners, one goal from a header and one goal assisted from a cross - all lows in this season's top flight.

This is despite Martindale bringing in 6ft 4in striker Tete Yengi in January, and 6ft 3in forward Joel Nouble playing 28 league games this season.

Just nine different players have scored for Livi in the Scottish Premiership this season - tied lowest in the division.

The stats at the other end of the park don't make for much better reading.

Only one other team (Dundee) have conceded more from crosses (12 to Livingston's 10), and they are tied for most goals conceded from open play (41, the same as Ross County).

Despite a battling performance against Celtic, their last two games (defeat in the Scottish Cup at Celtic Park and a loss to Hibs) have seen Livi ship seven goals.

Martindale will need to figure out how to improve in both attack and defence to have a hope of keeping his team in the top flight.

We asked you whether Livingston can pull off the great escape as we head into the final stretch of the season.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Malky: Livi have punched way above their weight the last few seasons in the Premiership, but time's up. I honestly believe if a new manager had came in with fresh ideas and enthusiasm in December, it might have been different.

We're firmly into the business end of the season.

For Livingston, the last part of the campaign will have to be something special to beat the drop. We want to know how you're feeling as we head into the final stretch.

Do you still have hope that your side can survive? Who will be the key players if a miracle is to happen? And what has been your biggest frustration about David Martindale's side this term?

Give us your thoughts.

Motherwell midfielder Blair Spittal and Livingston full-back James Penrice will join Hearts in the summer under freedom of contract. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, BBC Sport

Stuart Barrie
Fan writer

"A painful day in a painful season," said manager David Martindale after Livingston's 3-0 defeat to Hibs on Saturday, and no fan could argue with that statement.

A poor result, another poor performance and our poor season limps on. Our last (and only) away win in the league this season was at Easter Road and we’ve had some decent results against them in the past, so there was some optimism, especially following the performance against Celtic in the cup.

However, any hopes were blown away inside seven minutes as Hibs raced into a two-goal lead, before they added a third not long after.

There was a sickness bug sweeping through the club in the lead-up to this match, which is typical of this season. Just when we think we can turn things around and build on something positive, it all crashes back down.

Mathematically we can still stay in the league; realistically we need a miracle. I do admire Martindale’s belief that we can still do it. We will need that determination if we are to get results in the games coming up.

Next up, Celtic make the trip to West Lothian. I wouldn't be surprised if a few Livi fans stay in bed for Sunday’s lunchtime kick-off.

It’s likely we are playing for pride now but there’s probably a few players that won’t be at this level again so they should go out and show everyone how good they really can be.

We asked for your thoughts after Livingston's 3-0 defeat against Hibs.

Here's what you had to say:

Matt: David Martindale "takes the blame" for yesterday's dismal showing, but in truth if these were genuine sentiments he would have realised it was time to leave several weeks if not months ago. The continued peddling of "we've enough in the building to stay up" no longer holds any weight. The sooner the club act to prepare for the Championship the better.

Del: Players are unwilling to take responsibility. Many of them appear to be uncommitted to the club.

Malky: The manager says "I take the blame". We don't have to hear it Davie ,we already know it.

Image source, SNS

• Myziane Maolida and Adam le Fondre has scored five goals this season (one in this game), no Hibs player has more in the Scottish Premiership.

• Livingston have failed to score in 15 of their 30 games, no team has failed to do so more often in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• Elie Youan has assisted seven goals this season (two in this game), more than any other Hibs player in the Scottish Premiership.

• Jordan Obita scored after just four minutes and 43 seconds, the fastest goal for Hibs in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• Hibs have scored in their last seven games in the Scottish Premiership, their joint longest scoring streak this season.

Were you at Easter Road or following the match from home? Either way, we want your views on the game – have your say here.

Livingston had battled a sickness bug in midweek which limited their training time and player availability. Perhaps the lingering effects of the illness contributed to a meek display, toothless in attack and shambolic in defence.

They have performed well in fits and starts, and spilled points through agonising late goals. But there was almost nothing for David Martindale to hang his hat on here, save the second-half clean sheet.

He has eight games left to preserve the top-flight status so very hard won and so stubbornly clung to.

Image source, SNS

Hibernian: Marshall, Cadden, Fish, Bushiri, Obita, Triantis, Newell, Marcondes, Youan, Maolida, Le Fondre.

Substitutes: Wollacott, Hanlon, Levitt, Stevenson, Tavares, Mayenda, Moriah-Welsh, J MacIntyre, Whittaker.

Livingston: George, Brandon, Obileye, Sean Kelly, Montano, Carson, Stephen Kelly, Holt, Bradley, Nouble, Yengi.

Substitutes: McGovern, Hamilton, Donnellan, Devlin, Anderson, Sangare, Guthrie, Culbert, Sharp.

David Martindale makes three changes to the Livingston side which ran Celtic close last Sunday, as he looks to reduce a seven-point deficit at the foot of the Scottish Premiership against Hibernian.

Shamal George returns in goal for the visitors, with David Carson and Jason Holt bolstering Martindale's midfield options.

Out go Michael McGovern, Dan MacKay and Michael Nottingham.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Jamie Brandon says he's disappointed the most stable and consistent period of his playing career has come during Livingston's struggles at the bottom of the Premiership.

The 26-year-old has had his fair share of injury battles throughout his time in football, but has featured for the West Lothian side for most of the campaign.

“This season I’ve played a lot more football, which has been good, but I want the team to do well as well as me playing football,” he said.

“That’s been the disappointing aspect of the season, that we’ve not managed to kick on like we have in previous years.

“I feel I’m as fit as I’ve ever been in my career. I feel like injury problems – touch wood – aren’t an issue at this moment in time, and I just want to continue playing as many games as possible.”

“We just have to focus on ourselves. We need to win games to get ourselves out of this situation.

“Whatever happens elsewhere, regardless of whether it goes our way or not, ultimately we need to pick up points.”

Image source, SNS

Livingston must let off the "shackles" of their league position and approach Saturday's trip to Easter Road like they did their narrow cup defeat at Celtic, says Rory Loy.

"A couple of weeks ago I probably would have given Livingston no chance, but having watched them at Celtic Park, they were superb," he told BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Tete Yengi was unbelievable last week. That lone striker role at Parkhead can be a lonely, lonely place - trust me, I've been there. You're running between he defenders and you're just getting no joy.

"He held the ball up, he took advantage of every situation that came his way and his finish was top notch.

"Given their performance last week, and the fact Hibs suffered disappointment midweek, I think Livingston can go there and get something. The nature of last week, they looked a real threat.

"No disrespect to Hibs, but they're not playing against the quality of Celtic. I think Livingston need to have that cup attitude. It feels like the shackles are on a bit in the league.

"If they go there with that mindset, I don't think they can get all three points, but they can nick one".

Livingston have suffered some painful setbacks in recent weeks as time runs out in their bid to beat the drop.

Having come back from 2-0 down, David Martindale's side conceded a stoppage-time winner to nearest rivals Ross County. An early lead was tamely squandered at home to Motherwell, then St Johnstone found a late leveller in the ugliest of games in Perth.

You can add County's controversial 98th-minute equaliser against Hibs on Wednesday to that list since it leaves Livi seven points adrift.

They have mustered just one away win in the Premiership - at Hibs in August. Now they return to Easter Road in desperate need of something positive, while victory is imperative for the hosts' hopes of a top-six finish.

With six goals in 10 games, Tete Yengi looks the best bet to spearhead any great escape from relegation.

The 6ft 4in striker is a real handful and cracked home a beautiful finish in a spirited cup loss to Celtic. Now he's up against a fragile Hibs defence that has kept one clean sheet in 12 league outings since beating Livingston in early December.

• Read our full Premiership Picks