The Scotsman

Caretaker boss Martindale ready to take on Livingston job

- By GAVIN MCCAFFERTY

David Martindale believes he is ready to step up and become Livingston manager.

The caretaker boss has told directors John Ward and Robert Wilson that he is keen to succeed Gary Holt, who resigned last week.

Martindale was previously assistant to Holt and his pre - decessors, Kenny Miller and David Hop kin, and moved into a role as head of football operations in the summer. He has had a major say in recruitmen­t of players and even past managers, and guided Livingston to a 4-0 Betfred Cup win over Ayr on Saturday. He will again take charge in tomorrow's Scottish Premiershi­p clash with Dundee United.

On his talks with the board, Mar tindale said: "We had a good chat on Monday. After Saturday, they know the players are quite relaxed and we are in no immediate rush.

"If I was considered for the job I would be delighted to take the job but I am also of the opinion that I will do what's right for the football club. If John and Robert want togo down a different route I am more than happy to do it.

"Whatever is best for the football club I am easy with.

If I stay in my current role, if someone else comes in and I have to leave, or I take the manager's role on, I am more than happy with any of these sce-narios.

"There is a process going on upstairs and I have tried to distance myself from it because there's a wee bit of conflict of interest there now.

"But they know how I feel, I know how they feel and I think we are quite comfortabl­e as a group to take our time and do what's right for the club rather than make a quick decision.”

Martin dale previously turned down the role but feels he is ready to manage in the top flight.

"Personally I have got a lot more experience," said the former Broxburn assistant manager, who joined Livi in June 2014.

"If we are going back twoand-a-half years when Hoppy left, I hadn't been involved at any level of Premier League football. So when the board offered me the job I didn' t think the time was right for me, but I didn't think the time was right for the club either.

"But I now feel I am a lot more capable and my staff are a lot more capable.”

 ??  ?? 0 David Martindale: Keen to succeed Gary Holt as manager
0 David Martindale: Keen to succeed Gary Holt as manager

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom