SCOTT’S FINALLY BACK ON TRACK
Lions boss reckons Pittman has returned to form after injuries
David Martindale believes midfielder Scott Pittman has finally hit top form at the right time as the Lions look to push for a European place.
The 29-year-old local lad has had an up and down campaign by his usual lofty standards but put in a tremendous display against Dundee that has left his boss thinking he could be back to his best.
Pittman, who is closing in on the club’s all-time Premiership appearance record, has struggled with injury and form at various points over his eighth season with the club.
But Martindale is confident the signs are positive for an impressive end to the campaign - and believes that will be crucial to the club’s success between now and the end of the season.
Pittman bagged his second goal of the season at Dens Park and his cross-field pass started the move that led to Bruce Anderson’s sixth minute opener.
Martindale said: “It would be unbelievable for us if we can have Pitts firing. He’s usually very, very consistent but due to injuries he has struggled with that this year.
“I wouldn’t say I had a pop at him as such but I had a wee word with him after the game and then when we were doing our analysis. That’s the Scott Pittman that I know and that is the Scott Pittman we need for the remaining games.”
He added: “He is the number eight that I let off the leash, we play as a middle three but he has a bit more of a licence to get forward and he did that. On another day he gets two and on a good day he probably has a hat-trick from Saturday.
“I was really happy with his involvement. He was very good overall, he helped us out defensively and broke lines and got himself up the park and on the scoresheet.
“That’s what his game is all about and it would be huge for us if we can see that for the rest of the season.”
The Lions welcome Celtic to the Tony Macaroni Arena on Sunday (12pm kick-off) and the boss says he’s in no mood to relinquish any hopes of a European challenge
He said: “You’ve got to think about European places, of course you do. For me the first challenge is can we get into the top six? That’s two years in a row we did that and last year missed out on European football by one goal.
“For this group of players and staff, it would be absolutely incredible if that’s an achievement that we can get. It’s a massive carrot for the players but it’s going to be difficult.”