Martindale: Not much between the sides on pitch

LIVINGSTON manager Davie Martindale insists there is little between his side and Hibernian on the pitch as he looks to intensify opposite number Lee Johnson’s woes.

Livingston head to Easter Road tomorrow three points above their Edinburgh counterparts on the back of a run of seven defeats in eight games for Hibs.

That has led to the pressure building on Johnson and, despite the vast differences in resources available to both teams, Martindale believes Livingston, who have consistently defied expectations, are just as good as tomorrow’s opponents.

Martindale, whose team lost out 2- 1 at Celtic on Thursday evening, said: “There are teams in and around you, Hibs being one of those teams at this point in time, where there is not a lot between the clubs on the park. Off the park, yeah, Hibs are a huge club but on the park there is not a lot between us so you can go and have a go.

“Lee Johnson will be saying the same thing, he will be using those stats in his favour, ‘ let’s go and change that, get a win against Livingston’.

“From third to twelfth, every single club can take points off each other at this moment in time. It’s a really competitive league.

“We’ve always done well against most opponents rather than the Old Firm. Although there was a stat up the other day, we’re the team that has taken the most points off the Old Firm, 17 points since we’ve returned.

“We’re fairly competitive as a club and throughout the season – we manage to take points off most clubs, including Celtic and Rangers. We need to set that record straight with Celtic this year right enough.”

Even though Hibs’ are desperately short of confidence, Martindale insists he will not set up his team any differently at Easter Road.

Martindale, whose side have won their last four games against Hibs, added: “My mind set or game plan would not be any different to what it would be if their current form was reversed and had won the last seven in eight, my game plan would not change.

“How we apply ourselves within the game would not change.

“I understand fans’ frustration but I think social media makes it even harder.

“They are reading stuff on social media, three, four, five days before a game are probably going there with negative thoughts in their head, subliminal. One bad pass then they are on their backs, not just Hibs – every club.

“I think sometimes you need to put it in perspective. I can’t really comment on Hibs, I don’t look at them that closely.”