Livingston boss David Martindale reveals why promotion celebrations cut short after wild bus journey back from Dingwall

Scottish Sun

27-05-2025

DAVIE MARTINDALE put a lid on his promotion celebrations last night - because he's got to be in work overseeing a team of JOINERS this morning.
The Livingston gaffer was jubilant on the park after his team dumped Ross County to win back their Premiership place.
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David Martindale celebrates but not for too long...
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
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Robbie Muirhead, Jamie Brandon and Stephen Kelly
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
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David Martindale at end
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
But while his players and staff went wild on the bus journey back from Dingwall, Martindale was already thinking about the FLOORING being installed at the Set Fare Arena today.
He said: 'I'm into work tomorrow for a couple of hours.
'There's flooring work getting done.
'So I'm going to go into work and make sure the boys that are putting the flooring in are doing it right.
'Check up on that and speak to the maintenance boys.
'I'll give them a big list of jobs that I want done when I'm away on holiday.'
Striker Robbie Muirhead popped up with this crucial third goal after Livi had clawed back a 2-0 deficit to be drawing 2-2 after 61 minutes.
And Martindale admits the striker probably can't stand him because of the grief he gets from the dugout.
He said: 'Robbie probably hates me because whoever the number nine is, I expect them to be running 12 to 14k.
'I don't care who you are, so I'm constantly in his ear, aren't I?
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'But I made a decision, maybe four months ago.
'He came to me as a winger and I was persevering with it but I kept saying to him, he's not got the attributes to be a winger.
'I brought him in because of his stats.
'You look at his goals. The kid scores goals and he's got big moments in him.
'I'm looking at him going, he's a number nine. He's never a winger.'
Martindale always has to resist the temptation to sub Muirhead off in games - so has told no2 Brian Rice to HOOK him if he suggests it.
He said: 'I said to Chipper see whenever I turn around and say I'm going to take Robbie off then somebody just punch me.
'You know what he does.
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Robbie Muirhead celebrates his stunning strike
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
'Sometimes he doesn't take part in the game, but he comes up with big moments. Again, Robbie's two big moments.
'He's helped take this club back to the Premiership, it's an incredible finish.
'That only really him and Smithy are capable of doing at the club.
'I think that then gives the group massive belief.
'At that point, we're winning the game. So I can take him off at that point.
'I've got a bit of work to do with Robbie. I think he'll be okay with that.
'I'm going to work with him a lot over the summer and a lot in pre-season.
'In terms of what I'm wanting the night to do. He's kind of been thrown in there.
'So I'm going to do a wee bit of work with him, but he comes up with big moments.'
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