Michael Beale faces new Rangers challenge as David Martindale sets 'extra motivation' for Livingston cup shock troops
The Light Blues are hot favourites for the competition but Livingston have ambitions of their own.
David Martindale says Livingston will head to Rangers with extra motivation as they look for Viaplay Cup glory.
The Lions boss lost the showpiece of this competition in 2021 to St Johnstone and will be keen to rekindle the heroics of 2004's West Lothian triumph. But in his side's way are Rangers, who head into the game with pressure building yet against on boss Michael Beale after a nervy 1-0 win over Motherwell on Sunday.
Performance levels were blasted post-match by the gaffer as the Steelmen came close to taking a point, which some believe would have been merited. Martindale - who saw Baycup Ltd and their director John McIlvogue successfully complete the acquisition of a majority stake in Livingston on Sunday - says all the focus he has will be on his Lions. But he notes Kilmarnock dumping Celtic out the competition adds an extra edge while Ibrox injuries are noted down.
He said: “Motherwell were unlucky but Rangers still made three or four good chances in that game. Mick has a few injuries to deal with, Matondo was taken off also so that’s another one added to the mix.
“But I only want to focus on Livingston. Going there is going to be difficult, both teams are going into it one game away from Hampden, Celtic have obviously been knocked out already so that gives every other Premiership club’s chances of success a boost.
"So there is that wee bit of added motivation for us and I’m sure Mick and his players will be looking to get the first piece of silverware under their belt. But we will be doing everything we can to get ourselves in the hat for the next round and book our place at Hampden.”
Martindale also reckons the Livi takeover can ease some burden after a tough few years at the club. He said: “It’s got to be a positive for the football club, because where we have been the last three of four years hasn’t been great, I’ve got to be honest there.
"It’s been really difficult for the staff in the club, so to have a fresh impetus and a fresh skill-set coming into the building, and hopefully having upstairs aligned with downstairs and a bit of help upstairs for everybody, I think will be a huge positive for the club.
"I hope it is a step in the right direction and I’m sure it is. There has been a lot of sleepless nights, at times I was coming into work, and not just me this is probably the same with every member of staff, and you think ‘I just want to be doing my own job, I just want to be a football manager’ but it’s been really difficult for all the staff because we are all mucking to try and keep this club in the Premiership.
“It’s been like trying to push water up a hill at times, that’s how it feels, the last three or four years haven’t been ideal. It’s not been great so hopefully this is an opportunity to let me just be the manager of Livingston Football Club again and concentrate solely on my day job.
“We are bringing a new skillset in upstairs that will align everybody and get the club moving in the right direction. As I say I haven’t met the new owners yet, but I trust John Ward (club chairperson) implicitly so I’m looking forward to it.
"Let’s be honest there is always going to be challenges when you are at a club this size, but I am looking forward to the challenges ahead because I feel we are going to face those challenges together as one and as a collective unit we are going to be united. So hopefully this is the start of a fresh beginning for Livingston.”