Livi gaffers says squad’s sights set on Europe
Davie Martindale insists Livingston are targeting at least a fifth- place finish in the hope it will be good enough to qualify for Europe.
The Lions sealed a place in the top six for the second season running with victor y over Hamilton in their penultimate pre- split clash.
The West Lothian side are now four points clear of sixth- placed St Mirren with six games left.
And, depending on who eventually wins the Scottish Cup, Livingston could land a spot in the new Europa Conference League should they at least maintain their current place.
Asked about the importance of finishing fifth with European football potentially on the line, Martindale, whose side won for the first time in seven games, said: “That’s the objective. I spoke to them there.
“It is a challenge for every one of us, myself included, to ensure we do not finish any lower than fifth so that is the objective going forward.
“I think the boys are more than capable of doing that.
“To be honest, I think against the so- called bigger teams we seem to turn up and the style suits us.
“We are a team that is in transition. We are actually a very good footballing team and I think you will see that from us going forward. Even in the Rangers game, the bigger games, the boys rise to the occasion so I am just delighted we have finished in the top six.
“The next games we will be playing against the best teams in the country. It is fantastic.”
Martin dale hailed his players for making sure they will finish the campaign among the league’s elite.
He added: “The boys have been fantastic and we now know we go into the top six in fifth place no matter what.
“The cup final defeat had a wee knock-on effect on us but we looked back to our best today.
“I think we could have scored a few more but the objective was top six and we have done that.
“Would we have taken this with five games still to go? Of course we would and I think this is an unbelievable effort from the club.”
Martin dale, meanwhile, was reluctant to elaborate on Scott Robinson’s future amid suggestions of a fall out, with the midfielder having missed the last two games.
He added: “He was not available for selection today. So there is not much more I can add to that, to be honest.”
Asked if Robinson, who is out of contract this summer, would play for Livingston again, he replied: “Hopefully, but I don’t know.”