Livingston boss David Martindale insists Hibs’ poor run of form won’t impact his game plan heading into tomorrow’s clash at Easter Road.
Lee Johnson’s side have lost seven of their last eight fixtures but the Lions gaffer says their preparation wouldn’t be any different if the Hibees form had was reversed.
Remarkably, Livi head into tomorrow’s contest looking to make it five consecutive wins over the Edinburgh outfit.
Martindale said: “Is my mindset or game plan different to what it would be if their current form was reversed? No.
“How we apply ourselves within the game would not change.
“There are teams in and around you, Hibs being one of those teams at this point in time, where there is not a lot between the clubs on the park. Off the park, yeah, Hibs are a huge club but on the park there is not a lot between us so you can go and have a go.
“Lee Johnson will be saying the same thing, he will be using those stats in his favour, ‘let’s go and change that, get a win against Livingston’. From third to 12th every single club can take points off each other at this moment in time. It’s a really competitive league.”
The Lions are coming off a spirited 2-1 loss away at Celtic park in midweek and entering a busy period in which the gaffer knows the squad will have to be utilised.
He said: “I was quite positive after the game with the players but you’ve been beat, it’s trying to strike that balance. Our game management and discipline was bang on.
“It’s a big ask when you are playing two games in a week. We never played last weekend so we had that benefit. In terms of recovery for the boys it’s not ideal but I’m delighted for the players who came in.
“I’ve got a good squad of players and if I can use them I’ll use them and I trust every one of them.
“I know they’re competitive and can do a job. You can say there were a lot of boys on the bench who would generally start but I think the game proved how good the competition is within the squad.”
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