David Martindale reckons it will be a different Rangers side his team will face this weekend, with Michael Beale breathing confidence into the Ibrox side.
The Lions were unfortunate to only come away with a 1-1 draw at Ibrox in the last meeting, but Martindale is aware that this will be a different challenge.
“Michael’s now built confidence and a bit of momentum, I’m not sure Rangers had that last time,” stated Martindale.
“The 1-1 game was when they were a bit down in their luck and lacking confidence.
“They’ve now got that behind them and I think they’re in a good place, which makes the task in front of us a bit harder”.
A late John Lundstrum equaliser denied Livingston victory in October, in one of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s final home games as manager.
Martindale hailed the change in form that Beale has managed since taking over and has likened the new playing style to that when Steven Gerrard was in charge.
“I think it’s 10 league games he’s had and he’s drawn with Celtic and won the rest.
“There’s more fluidity to their movement, rotations and the personnel within the shapes.
“It’s more like what they were like under Steven [Gerrard], which is no surprise as I know that Mick had a massive part to play in the tactics.”
Livingston’s exit in the Scottish Cup to Inverness wasn’t helped by an early injury to Bruce Anderson but the knock doesn’t appear to be too serious.
Martindale said: “It was a contact injury but he’s come off before it not too bad. He’s got a full range of movement and strength so should be okay to play on Saturday and if not, then he’ll be available for the next week.”
Martindale also confirmed that Steven Bradley went off at half-time due to illness, with centre back Morgan Boyes missing entirely for the same reason.
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