I would run through a brick wall for the boss
Omeonga is loving life as part of the Livi family
Livingston midfielder Stephane Omeonga says boss David Martindale makes you ‘fall in love with this club’.
The Belgian midfielder signed for the Lions in August following a spell in the Italian second tier with Pescara.
And the 25-year-old believes that he’s at a special club and credits the gaffer for setting high standards and an admirable work ethic that has them dreaming of European football next year.
He said: “Davie isn’t like any other manager.
“Everything at the club involves Davie, from the chef to the cleaners – they all deal with him.
“Everyone is in it together and we are all working hard for the club and that’s why it is so special.
“He built the group of players who are here.
“As a starting XI, you know we have talented boys ready to take your spot if your levels drop. That’s a good thing and it pushes everyone every single day.”
He added: “He loves this club, he gives everything for it and he wants the best for everyone.
“When I was in Belgium waiting to come here, he was texting me all the time asking how I was doing.
“He takes care of everyone and any new player that comes in he helps to try and get you a house and things like that.
“At other clubs it isn’t the manager who deals with that sort of stuff, but Davie does.
“It makes you want to give your best to repay him. I would run through a brick wall for the manager.
“He took a chance on me and gave me the opportunity to come here. I will always be grateful to him for that.
“His enthusiasm sold me on the move here as well and I’m enjoying working with him.
“It is like a big family and you fall in love with this club.”
Livi sit in fifth place in the table with three games remaining before the split – a far cry from the basement boys the former Hibs man joined in August.
And while he admits he never expected to be in a race for European football, he says he was always confident they could right the ship.
Omeonga added: “We were struggling when I arrived but I always believed that we would turn it around and we have.
“Did I think Livingston would be this high in the table fighting for Europe? I have to be honest, no.
“I signed for the club in August and we were bottom of the league.
“When I spoke to the gaffer and Marv (assistant manager Marvin Bartley) the goal at that time was to try and fight for a top six place and they believed that we could do that.
“But Europe? No, nobody here even mentioned that being possible.
“But there is something special about this club and maybe that’s why Davie said we wouldn’t get relegated.
“Not many managers would come out with something like that.
“As players, we haven’t even spoken about Europe or anything like that. Everyone is just so humble and we are all about the work-rate and being dedicated to the job.
“We just worry about the next game and I think that helps.”
I’m really enjoying working with him. It’s like a big family and you fall in love with the club Stephane Omeonga