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Sport
Callum Carson

Livingston boss calls on players to 'give everything' for top six bid

Livingston boss David Martindale has called on his players to give one final push over the remaining four games to secure a top six berth - but says he'd still see finishing 10th as a successful campaign.

The Lions climbed into the top four for the first time all season following their 2-1 victory over Dundee United last night but they sit just five points ahead of 10th placed Aberdeen with four games before the split.

The hosts went a goal behind early on against United as Liam Smith fired home at the back post on two minutes but a Scott Pittman equaliser midway through the first half was added to seven minutes from time when Ryan Edwards diverted a Nicky Devlin cross into his own net.

Martindale believes the victory was deserved and says the players and staff should take 'massive credit' for their current league position.

He commented: "I think it was deserved on chances created. At half-time we're probably a wee bit unlucky to be going in at 1-1 if I'm honest.

"We gave away a cheap goal but on the balance of play we let them off the hook a wee bit in the first half. Dundee United had large spells of possession in their own half in the second half but didn't really progress it into our box whereas I thought we did really well on the counter.

"If you look at the two goalkeeper's I think it's pretty clear that Siegrist was the busier. Max didn't have a lot to do and I thought the boys were fantastic.

"For a club our size, being tipped for relegation, the coaches and the players have got to take massive credit for sitting in fourth place."

He added: "There's four games left. Let's give it everything and all I can ask if for the players to try their best to get us into the top six. You could finish seventh after these four games and end up the season finishing 10th. I'd probably still see that as success to be honest but for the players to be in this position this late on in the season is a fantastic credit to them."

Last night saw the gaffer pick the same starting line-up for the fourth consecutive game, something he says is simply down to everyone being fit and putting in a string of stellar performances as they head into Sunday's visit of Celtic.

He said: "This is my first spell where I've consistently been able to have an unchanged team through form and injury. That helps with momentum but it's disappointing for guys not getting a game. I'm trying to rotate the squad as much as I can so everyone feels part of it and gets a shot of being in the matchday squad.

"But it's very, very difficult to change things when the starting 11 are giving you those type of performances."

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