Scott future left in limbo
Livi banish Hampden demons
David Martindale admits striker Scott Robinson may have kicked his last ball for Livingston.
The Lions boss refused to say why the 29-year- old hasn’t featured in the side for the last two games.
As Livi secured their top-six place with a 2-1 win over Hamilton, speculation over the hitman’s future was fuelled by his absence from the squad after missing last weekend’s loss at Motherwell.
Six-goal Robinson has been a pivotal part of the club’s success story this term
Six was the magic number for Livingston as they sealed their place in the top half of the Premiership.
First- half strikes from Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Scott Pittman brought to halt a run of six games without a victory despite Callum Smith levelling for Hamilton.
The win secured a top- six spot for Livi to ease the pain of their Betfred Cup Final defeat.
And proud boss David Martindale believes his players should take a bow for punching above their weight.
As he looked ahead to a pressure-free run-in, he said: “The cup final defeat had a wee knock on effect on us but we looked back to our best today.
“As the game went on and we knew we were guaranteed top six we passed the ball about.
“We could have scored a few more but the objective was top six and we have done that,
“It is a marathon not a sprint so we can forget about the last three or four games.
“This is an unbelievable effort from the club. We are a team in transition, we are actually a very good footballing team and you will see that from us.
“Even in the Rangers game, the bigger matches, the boys rise to the occasion so I am just del ighted we have finished in the top six.
“The next games we will be playing against the best teams in the country, it is fantastic.”
There was no place for Scott Robinson, the Lion’s striker’s continued absence is understood to be due to a breach of the club’s code of conduct.
Martindale wouldn’t be
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drawn on the specifics but the striker looks to have played his last game for the club.
Nicky Devlin quickly made his mark on the game and Scott Martin as he sent the Accies ace over the advertising hoardings to earn a yellow card.
Given the windy conditions, and with precious points up for grabs, you could be forgiven for thinking the long ball and percentage play was going to be the route to goal for both sides.
That was blown away, though, as Livi opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a strike which brought gasps of astonishment from the press box . De v l in played in Emmanuel-Thomas who took one touch to flick the ball into the air with his back to goal before acrobatically spinning to volley a shot into the top right hand corner from 12 yards.
A touch of the Thierry Henry about it and high on the wow factor.
Another strike from the top drawer arrived on thehe half-hour mark andd it came from Accies.
Smi t h strode f o rwa rd bef o r e slamming a low shotot from fully 25-yardsds low past Robbyy McCrorie.
If the f irst twoo goals were sublime, the nextt was a moment off slapstick. Devlin’ss cutback from the byeline rebounded off Lee Hodson’s chest and Pittman helped the ball over the line. Livi were good value for their lead and Emmanuel-Thomas saw a shot from the edge of the box blocked shortly after the restart as they attempted to edge further ahead.
Accies were a threat on the break but Livi controlled the game and Accies keeper Ryan Fulton had to keep out a Emmanuel-Em T h oma s header.h Josh Mullin rarattled the babar f rom d i s t a nc e bebefore Ross CaCal lachan drdragged a l a t e shot wide for AcAccies, who remremain one poipoint off the botbottom.
Jack Ross challenged Kevin Nisbet to finish the season as the top flight’s top scorer after he sealed a vital win.
Nisbet came off the bench to score his first goal since sparking controversy by slapping in a transfer request in the final days of the January window.
It was a critical strike as it put Hibs, who had lost their last two matches, six points clear of Aberdeen in third.
Ross said: “Kevin is just desperate to play. He was subject to significant interest in January and the rewards that are on offer on the other side of the border are fairly significant.
“For a young player that can be head-turning but there was never any issue for either Kevin or the club. His reaction has been really good.
“He knows he can be part of a team that finishes third.
“He’s edging towards 15 goals and being top scorer in the league.
“If he does that, I’m sure there will be opportunities again.” Hibs hadn’t
ROSS COUNTY.............................1 HIBS................................................2
SCOTT BURNS AT GLOBAL ENERGY STADIUM beaten County this season or even Hibs an early chance. Boyle squared scored against them before this game. for Chris Cadden but he fired over.
Ross’ men burst that hoodoo at just The Hibees were the better team in the right time. the first half with the Dingwall men
The omens had looked good for the unable to work Ofir Marciano. Highlanders as it was five years to the But in the second half County day since they lifted the 2016 League scored with their first effort on goal. Cup, beating Hibs in the final. Jordan Tillson swung in a cross that
County went ahead through Billy was headed on by Jordan White for Mckay but then saw Martin Boyle Mckay who fired home. equalise from the spot before Nisbet Hibs immediately sent on Nisbet for popped up with the winner. Cadden. And the Staggies hardly had
A slack Leo Hjelde pass-back gifted time to celebrate when they gave away a penalty. Boyle was fouled by Alex Iacovitti inside the box although County felt the striker had dived.
But Ross said: “I don’t think he conned the referee. I’ve seen it. He turns the wrong side of the defenders. I certainly don’t think he dived.”
Boyle picked himself up and waited for Ross Laidlaw to make his move before drilling it down the middle.
Boyle was in the thick of things and was cautioned for a foul on Hjelde.
Hibs took confidence from their leveller. And they were rewarded when Paul Hanlon’s back- post cross was knocked home by Nisbet.
County pushed for a leveller and went close to a point when White’s header battered the post.