Distracted Stryjek in the bad books with Martindale

LIVINGSTON boss David Martindale has accused Max Stryjek of becoming complacent after the goalkeeper thought he would seal a return to England this summer. Martindale has also revealed he is in the market for a new No 1 because he is not happy with back-up keeper Ivan Konovalov’s form. Although the Lions boss has absolved former Sunderland shotstopper Stryjek (pictured) of any blame following his red card in Wednesday’s Premier Sports Cup defeat to Inverness, Martindale insists the Pole has been poor in pre-season. Martindale said: ‘I’m looking for another goalkeeper. Both have made big mistakes in pre-season and I’m not willing to go into another season without an established No 1. ‘Both have been told in no uncertain terms that I need more from them. ‘With Max there was interest at the end of last season and maybe that’s led to a bit of complacency. Max on his day is a top No 1. But over the last four weeks, I think he has become complacent because he thought he was going to get a move and it has not transpired. ‘Finding a keeper that is better than Max is very difficult in the free market. On his day, Max is more than capable of being a top-four keeper in the Premiership but, at times, can be one of the bottom two keepers in the league. I need more of the top four and less of the bottom two.’ Martindale admits the situation in Russia could also be a factor in Konovalov’s start to the season. He added: ‘Ivan’s a very good No 1 but there’s a wee problem back home in Russia for Ivan. It’s simple economics — when Ivan arrived, a pound got

him 120 roubles, now it gets him 60. ‘You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to see his wages he sends back home have halved. His wife and kid are still over

there. Ivan’s still adapting to life at Livingston.’