Martindale: I would have got mad too
LIVINGSTON boss David Martindale admits Rangers should have had a penalty and has defended rival gaffer Steven Gerrard for losing the plot.
Matchwinner Alfredo Morelos was booked by referee John Beaton for diving after being brought down by Livi keeper Max Stryjek with Gerrard then sent off at half-time for dissent.
And Martindale, who praised his players for their gritty display after Sunday’s Betfred Cup Final defeat to St Johnstone, said: “We got away with one in the first half so I could understand Steven’s reaction.
“I’d have been the same. Your emotions are high. They’re chasing title 55 and haven’t won it for 10 years.
“John didn’t mean to make a bad decision but your emotions take over and I can understand 100 per cent Steven’s frustrations.”
Livi held Gers to a scoreless draw earlier in the season and looked like repeating that until the death.
Martindale said: “The performance was there from the boys, they were fantastic up until Rangers scored.
“You won’t dominate the ball against the Glasgow clubs, especially Rangers who have been fantastic, so you have to go in with a game plan. “It worked for 95 per cent of the match as we forced them into a lot of long, straight balls.”
Lions star Gavin Reilly suffered a first-half injury and Martindale added: “Gavin is sore. It looks like a hamstring.
“It’s probably six to eight weeks but you don’t know with these things. We don’t know what grade of hamstring injury it is and we won’t find out until the inflammation settles down.”