LIONS GAFFER WANTS A NEW DEAL FOR HIS
David Martindale hailed Livingson record breaker Scott Pittman and revealed he is set to hand the stalwart a new deal.
The midfielder popped up with the second- half winner to send Livi above Hibs in the Premiership table.
It was a fitting reward for the 29-year-old, who set a new top-flight appearance record for the Lions with his 124th outing to surpass Oscar Rubio.
Pittman is in his eighth season with the Almondvale outfit and has a year left on his current contract.
But Martindale hopes the club’s “living legend”– who needs another 11 appearances to break the all-time club record across all divisions – stays for the rest of his career.
He said: “I am delighted for Pitts and it was a fantastic finish. I am so happy he broke the record but he will smash all the records at this club.
“Keaghan Jacobs is 10 games ahead of him for the all-time record but he could surpass that by 100 at least.
“I am going to speak to Pitts’ agent again to get him tied down and take him through to his testimonial year and beyond.
“He’s a living legend at Livingston, he’s like a stallion, and I have told him that he needs to remain the fittest player at the club. I’ll speak to the agent and I’ll speak to Pitts. He’s one of those players who is a good fit.
“You’ve watched boys move over the years and it doesn’t quite work out when they go to other clubs.
“He’s in a club where he’s loved, he’s valued and he brings a lot to this football club, and I think he knows that and he’s comfortable here.
“There’s a lot to be said for that loyalty.”
Livi started the more dangerous and threatened when Nicky Devlin outfoxed Josh Doig on the right and fizzed in a brilliant low cross. But both Pittman and Odin Bailey failed to get the vital touch as they slid in six yards out.
Hibs responded instantly as Harry Clarke headed over then shot wide.
And the dominant visitors created the next opportunity in the 29th minute.
Clarke’s cross was headed back by James Scott and Doig’s effort was heading for the net before Devlin booted clear from under his own crossbar.
The half ended with Livi slowly working their way back into the game with two chances for Joel Nouble as the Lions finally found some bite.
And the bite turned to a snarl as they took the lead 11 minutes after the restart. Andrew Shinnie suddenly burst into space on the left of the box and showed great composure to pull his pass back to the edge of the box.
As he so often does, Pittman timed his run to perfection and his sublime shot into the roof of the net matched his movement.
It should have been two to Livi with 20 minutes remaining as Hibs played their way into trouble in defence.
Newell’s attempted pass across his own box was short and seized on by sub Alan Forrest.
But with the goal gaping, he only found the side netting.
For the Hibees it was another disappointing day as their season continues to spiral and caretaker manager David Gray has warned his players they risk having their character questioned. Ahead of the
match, former Swansea and Reading boss Paul Clement was the latest to be added to the list of candidates for the permanent Hibs manager’s job.
For the time being, Gray is the man in charge and he has urged the squad to show their new boss what they are made of. He admitted: “We’re very disappointed. We should have been more clinical and taken our chances.
“It kind of sums up our season — 18 shots on goal and nothing on target. It’s important to finish the season as strongly as you can. As a football player, you’re always being judged. If you’re not putting it in then people start to question your character or determination.
“It’s important every time you pull the jersey on that you apply yourself to the best of your ability.”