Martindale expecting a far tougher task after his team’s ‘very slow’ preparations
Livingston manager David Martindale is expecting a far tougher night at Easter Road than the last time.
His side claimed a 3-0 win on their last visit to Leith on January 2 but the Livi boss expects to face a different Hibs side on this occasion with Jack Ross’ men in good form and pushing to cement third place.
Martindale also admitted his team’s preparations have been hit by Saturday's eventful return home from the Scottish Cup defeat to Aberdeen on penalties.
He explained: "This week's preparations have been very slow to be honest. We gave the boys a day off and we did very little on Monday and Tuesday.
"There were roadworks and a diversion on the motorway coming back from Aberdeen.
We ended up going through Perth and the back of beyond. I live in Edinburgh and I didn't get home until 12.30am.
"Some of the boys never got home until the early hours of Sunday morning.
"The wee kitman got lost and ended up heading to St Andrews. He never got home until half past three in the morning.
"That wasn't great so we made the decision to give the boys Sunday off. They put a lot into Saturday's game with their sprint and running data, so we've been very careful and we're ready to go again.
"We won 3-0 the last time we went to Easter Road but we caught Hibs on the hop, everything fell our way.
"It will be a totally different game this time.
“Hibs are in a very good place and we'll treat them with the utmost respect."