Scott’s played his last game for Lions
END OF THE ROAD Boss Martindale admits red-hot Robinson is on the way out
LIVINGSTON boss David Martindale has confirmed Scott Robinson is unlikely to play for the club again.
The 29-year-old has not featured for the Lions since being withdrawn with 15 minutes to play against Rangers earlier this month.
Robinson was visibly upset with that decision, having only entered the fray as a first-half replacement for Gavin Reilly.
The striker did not even make the matchday squad for the subsequent Premiership fixtures against Motherwell and Hamilton and Martindale has revealed he is “unavailable” for Saturday’s match against Hibs at the Tony Macaroni Arena. He did not expand further.
But with the player out of contract this summer, it seems increasingly likely that there will be an unhappy end to an otherwise fruitful relationship between the player and the club.
Martindale said: “Scott is unavailable at this moment but I’m hoping he’s going to be available in the foreseeable future. However, my gut instinct is that I’m probably being hopeful on that one.
“I can’t see him signing a new deal. I might be wrong. Hand on heart I’d like to think he might play for us before the end of the season – but, being pragmatic, I can’t see it, being brutally honest.”
Robinson – who has been linked with a move to Motherwell where former Livi teammates Ricki Lamie, Liam Kelly, Stevie Lawless and Declan Gallagher ply their trade – has enjoyed a dazzling campaign with the Lions.
He has notched six goals in 31 games and earned rave reviews for his selfless showings in attack.
But Martindale reluctantly accepts he must turn his focus to players likely to be in West Lothian next term.
The manager added: “I’m not saying Scott thinks he is bigger than the clubmbut – speaking generally – I want players that are part of the collective. Unfortunately, that probably means the players that will be here next year.
“It is really difficult managing situations like this: you do well in the league, give boys a platform and then, such is life, people come in and take those players from you.
“Don’t get me wrong, I do that to lower-league clubs. It’s all relative.”