David Martindale says he’s out to change Livingston’s dismal Scottish Cup record and make it all the way to Hampden.
The Lions last featured in the semi-finals in 2004 and it’s been 18 years since they even made the last-eight but they will book a spot in the fifth round today if they get the better of League Two outfit Stenhousemuir at Ochilview.
The gaffer admitted his Scottish Cup record even during his playing days in Junior football with the likes of Pumpherston and Whitburn left a lot to be desired.
He commented: “It’s the one cup, outwith amateur, I’ve not really had a lot of success in, personally.
“Over the years, you look at the draws and you think some teams’ pathways to the cup final have been fortuitous. They’ve maybe had a tough semi-final but let’s say it’s been very positive for the Premiership club.
“So, I think you’ve got to be a wee bit lucky in the Scottish Cup, in terms of who you draw and who you play against, home or away. It’s something I’d like to try to rectify as soon as possible and try to take Livingston to Hampden.”
Given they sit three tiers above their opponents it’s not surprising Martindale is confident heading into the clash - but he knows they can’t take the Warriors and gaffer Gary Naysmith lightly.
He said: “It’s good coming up against different opponents and different players, but Stenny have got a lot of players I’m very familiar with.
“We nearly signed Nat Wedderburn for Livi one year, Mikey Miller was here and is a great lad and we had Tam Orr then Sean Crighton was the captain of the club when we won League One.
“Other players in other positions, I know them because of where we’ve been previously - in League One and the Championship. I’m familiar with them.
Gary Naysmith is also a manager I know really well. He gave us a really tough time in League One when he was the East Fife manager. They beat us three times that season and I signed Scott Robinson off the back of that.
“I’ve got a lot of time for Gary. He’s a very good manager and he was a very, very good player himself, so I’m expecting a difficult game.”
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