MX23RW : Wednesday, March 3 16:16:07| >> :120:64562:64562:

Livingston's David Martindale would be "over the moon" with Betfred Cup win

Livingston's David Martindale would be
© Reuters
Livi play St Johnstone in the final on Sunday.

Livingston manager David Martindale is desperate to deliver the Betfred Cup for everyone at the club who gave him the opportunity to work in professional football.

Livi face St Johnstone in the final at Hampden on Sunday after a fairy-tale start to Martindale's management career.

Martindale's journey of rehabilitation from a six-year prison term to top-flight manager has been well-documented in recent months and he has expressed his gratitude to all who helped him along that road.

But he knows that depositing the club's second major piece of silverware in the Tony Macaroni Arena trophy room would serve as a much more solid means of repaying their faith.

The 46-year-old is also eager to deliver the trophy for his family following their support throughout the years.

"It would be great for me but it's more about the staff, the players, the community and the club," he said.

"It's not going to do anything for David Martindale but I'd be over the moon for the people at the club more so than myself, and the players in the changing room. I'm not really bothered too much about myself.

"I don't really give myself the opportunity to reflect on that just now to be honest.

"We have still got to try and lift the trophy. Nobody remembers the cup losers so I don't want minds to go down that route. We are just focused on trying to lift the trophy.

"But it would mean the world to my wife and my wee one, and my son. I think they would all be extremely proud of me.

"David, my son, is 24 now and Martha has been with me from day one, and Georgia is only eight years old but she has been throughout the Livingston journey and she has learnt about my past recently. I think it would mean the world to them. I think they are a lot more nervous than I am.

"But honestly I want to lift the trophy so much for the players, the staff and directors and owners, because they have given me everything. They have allowed me to come into this club and work at a football club.

"I hope we can lift the trophy for everyone connected with the club."

Martindale won his first eight games as manager and was unbeaten in his first 14.

St Johnstone inflicted his first defeat and Livi have taken only one point from their past three games in total.

The Perth side's win was no flash in the pan – they have only lost to Celtic and Rangers in their past 11 games and warmed up for Hampden with a 3-0 victory at Motherwell.

But Martindale said: "We went into the semi-final in good form and I did honestly believe that form goes out the window in a semi-final, and it's more so in a final.

"I don't really read too much into that to be honest. The boys will approach the final whether they had won the last four games or lost the last four games, I didn't think it would have made a bit of difference."

ID:436938:cQx:QQ:

Click here for more stories about David Martindale

Click here for more stories about Livingston

Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Murray Davidson in action for St Johnstone in September 2015
Read Next:
Callum Davidson provides Murray Davidson fitness update
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
Read more about David Martindale Football

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1RangersRangers3026407396482
2Celtic31207465234267
3Hibernian30157841281352
4Aberdeen3113993230248
5Livingston29117113635140
6St Mirren31109122934-539
7Dundee UnitedDundee Utd31811122843-1535
8St Johnstone3089133139-833
9Motherwell3188152846-1832
10Ross County3075182254-3226
11Kilmarnock3174202743-1625
12Hamilton AcademicalHamilton2966172856-2824

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!