Martindale: Old Firm are always in for a hard time
David Martindale says he is accustomed to people labelling it a “disgrace” whenever Livingston take something from Celtic or Rangers.
However, as he looked ahead to the visit of Ange Postecoglou’s Hoops today, he argues they should be getting used to it – it happens often enough.
“Everyone has a bogey team, I genuinely believe in that,” he said, with all the confidence of a man who has already seen his side beat Celtic in West Lothian and hold them to a goalless draw in the east end of Glasgow this season.
“It can be style of play, formation – maybe they suit or don’t suit one another – whatever way you look at it.
“I just think historically, we’ve always done well against the Old Firm at Livingston.
“The perception is that it’s just Celtic we do well against, but neither of them relish coming here. People forget we drew with Rangers last season, and beat them the year before.
“They have top international players. Do they want to be playing on a plastic surface? Probably not.
“I think it’s a good pitch that suits our needs. But when you’re an international player, you probably don’t want to be playing on it.
“That has an impact on the game.
“But most of the elite clubs have all-weather surfaces for their academy, which they can practise on.
“But Celtic went away to Bodo/ Glimt and chose not to train on it.
“Listen, the surface helps us and the psychology of it. At the same time, we have to give ourselves credit because the players here give it everything.
“When you compare budgets, we’re a million miles away from Celtic and Rangers.
“So it’s a massive testament to the players here that they step up their game and hinder that opponent. Our intention is just to pick points up.”
Martindale insists it is circumstance not
natural inclination that forces him to be a pragmatist.
“Ange’s style of football has been very refreshing. In that respect, Celtic have come a long way,” he said.
“His recruitment has been top notch. Kyogo Furuhashi has been an unbelievable signing for Scottish football, not just Celtic. Reo Hatate, too, has been fantastic.
“And, listen, I would love to have his philosophy of always playing the same way.
“But without being disrespectful to Livingston, we have to play a certain way.
“I could set up in any shape against the Old
Firm, but ultimately we fall back into a low block with 10 men behind the ball.
“Even at the likes of Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs, we’ll do that because their players force us into it.
“Depending on the opponent, that changes our game plan.
“If I had the biggest budget in the league, I’d probably have a similar philosophy to Ange in terms of sticking to what I want to do.
“Although I’d maybe approach bigger games, European games a bit differently.”
The mention of Europe is significant.
A keen student of the game, the Livingston manager points out roles quickly get reversed when the Old Firm clubs find themselves up against wealthier opponents in continental competition.
“I look at those games and what happens? The Scottish clubs against the bigger clubs in Europe set up that way,” said Martindale. “It’s the exact same argument.
“If we manage to take anything from Celtic or Rangers, people say it’s a disgrace.
“But some of the best victories Scottish teams have had against the big European sides have been very similar.
“It’s what your opponent forces you into. If you’re up against talented players, they’ll make you go into that low block.
“I can go 3-5-2, 3-4-3 or 4-3-3. But ultimately I’m forced into what we do.
“Of course, you try to put your philosophy on to the opponent but that’s difficult when you’re up against a team with very talented footballers.”
Their own innovative recruitment, both at home and abroad, helps gives Livingston the best possible chance.
“Tell me one other Scottish Premiership club that’s taken a player from League One who is playing every week?” said the Livi boss.
“I’ve got a centre-half, who played one year in the Scottish Championship and non-league in England and he’s playing every week and scoring goals.
“And while Japan is probably out of touch for us financially, we do look at alternative markets, those in and around our coefficient roughly.
“The lower level of the top tier of the Czech Republic, countries like that.”