Bradley had point to prove to Martindale
STEVEN BRADLEY admits he was motivated to prove Davie Martindale wrong from their first meeting after the Livingston manager questioned whether he was good enough for the Lions.
Following a trial spell with the club, that included scoring in two friendly wins during last month’s training camp in Turkey, Bradley signed a two- and- a- half year deal in a switch from Hibernian.
With the January transfer window now open, Bradley is expected to make his debut in today’s visit of Motherwell. It all turned out well for the 20- year- old in the end but Bradley admits a forthright first conversation with Martindale had him doubting whether Livingston would be his next step.
Bradley said: “The manager keeps you grounded, when I first met him I never expected him to be so honest.
“He basically asked: ‘ If you’re not good enough for Hibs then how are you going to be good enough for me?’
“I just told him I wanted to prove I was and he gave me the chance in Turkey and it worked well.
“You don’t want coaches telling you you’re doing brilliantly, you’d rather they tell you what you’re not doing well so you can work on stuff. I just wanted to come in and work as hard as I can and show him what I can do.”
In fact, Bradley has impressed so much that Martindale’s initial plan to send him out on loan to gain further first team experience has been scrapped. Bradley, who spent temporary spells at both Ayr United and Irish side Dundalk last season, added: “At the start we went to Turkey and he said he couldn’t promise me game time and that I might need to go on loan. But then I did well in Turkey and scored in both the games and since then I have done well, so I don’t think that’s the plan anymore.
“It was a great chance to get to know the boys and it was great of Hibs to let me go there as well, they didn’t need to let me do that and I was thankful.”