Matchwinner Jay marks pal’s baby joy with special delivery

AFIRST Premiership goal for Jay EmmanuelT h o mas helped provide the means for David Martindale to continue his perfect start as Livingston boss.

The birth of something special? Emmanuel-Thomas would say so. And not just in terms of his manager’s abilities. The striker revealed there was also a more personal motivation behind his contribution at a stormlashed Rugby Park.

‘That goal meant a lot,’ admitted the one-time Arsenal youngster. ‘One of my best friends was in labour, so I told her I was going to score for the baby.

‘My friend Simone is back in London with her partner and the baby boy was due. We were just waiting for the arrival.

‘It was also my 30th birthday on Sunday, so it was ideal. With the win, the goal for me, the baby and the birthday, it was a great day.’

Surely the only thing left to complete this happy tale is for the proud new mum to christen her little one Jay in response?

‘I’ll tell her that,’ l aughed Emmanuel-Thomas. ‘I’ll let her know it was said that should happen!’

Of course, Emmanuel-Thomas knows another name is currently f oremost i n the minds of all associated with Livingston.

Martindale hasn’t so much grasped his chance as locked it in a bear-hug. Six wins out of six, the latter two since being named as permanent boss, speak of an influence flourishing on the front line.

While the SFA’s fit and proper test has yet to be negotiated — with Martindale hoping they will look beyond his prison past to the man he is now — the 46-year-old’s credentials as a football figure are increasingly obvious.

They were on show again on Saturday. True, there was a little slice of good fortune about the weak way Danny Rogers let a 20-yard effort from EmmanuelThomas quickly cancel out Chris Burke’s penalty. From then on, however, Livingston were in the ascendancy.

Aided by smart substitutions, they had by far the better of chances created over the final half-hour. Jack Fitzwater, Craig Sibbald and Scott Pittman all had opportunities before Jon Guthrie headed over a deep free-kick from Josh Mullin just as stoppage-time began.

Even then, Livingston found a way with practically the last kick of the game. Scott Robinson had been effervescent after replacing Emmanuel-Thomas on 69 minutes and summed up the confidence within his team with a looped shot over the head of Rogers. Now into the top six, Livingston can look forward with confidence to hosting Aberdeen on Wednesday.

All of which begs the question of what Martindale has brought since stepping up from assistant to sole control? For Emmanuel-Thomas, clear and frank communication forms the basis of his style.

‘He’s straight and he won’t be saying anything without you being there that he would not say to your face,’ said the forward.

‘You hear him in training and he’s shouting. He never stops and is constantly at you. But he is not shouting at you for him to be aggressive or put you off. It’s for alertness. His voice is loud and no matter where you are on that pitch, you can hear Davie.

‘He likes to push forward, he likes to press. When we get the ball, it is up to us to make things happen.’

While Martindale’s message is getting through, Alex Dyer is struggling to translate his ideas into actions on the pitch. A fifth s t r ai ght defeat has f urther increased the pressure on the Kil marnock boss a head of Wednesday’s visit to Motherwell.

It had all seemed so promising when Nicky Devlin was penalised for handling a Kirk Broadfoot shot inside the area. Burke netted the 48th-minute spot-kick — his side’s first goal in five games — yet the lead lasted only three minutes. Rogers held up his hand for being deceived when Emmanuel-Thomas tried his luck.

Making the first league start of his third spell at the club, Youssouf Mulumbu did test Max Stryjek in the 87th minute but far more threat was aimed at Rogers as time ticked down.

It leaves Dyer in a perilous position. To Killie full-back Aaron McGowan, however, the blame for this dire run should rest with the underperforming players.

‘You can’t just have a go at the manager,’ said McGowan. ‘We are behind him fully. I look at myself more than the manager. That’s the easy way out, to have a go at the manager. It’s a bit of a cop-out.

‘The manager is not out there passing the ball, putting it in the net or defending. As players, we need to step up a little bit more.’