£55m vs £1.3m – Livingston boss David Martindale hits back at his Celtic critics

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Livingston manager David Martindale has defended his regressive tactics in today’s draw with Celtic, despite criticism from the stands at Paradise.

The away side managed just four touches in the Celtic boss throughout the encounter, registering just two shots from 14.9% possession. [WhoScored]

It was pretty unambitious stuff when you consider that Livingston were supposed to be trying to win the match.

But in fairness to the West Lothian side, they came to Glasgow with a gameplan and executed it. And Martindale doesn’t think the criticism is justified.

Speaking to The Scottish Sun, he said: “I don’t think we’re Celtic’s bogey team. It’s just that our game plan changes when you come away to the bigger clubs.

“You have to. You can’t be as open as you normally are. It worked to a tee today and the boys deserve massive credit.

“Someone shouted at me in the dug-out: ‘That must be enjoyable to watch every week’.

“Well, you’ve got a £55 million budget against a £1.3 million budget. We have to come up with different ways to try and win a game.”

Ultimately the onus is on Celtic to break down a team like this and find a way to victory. It’s not as if the tactics on display from Livingston were unexpected, even if it was frustrating and maddening to watch.

Celtic also struggled to break down St Johnstone for large chunks of that victory. It took an unforced error for the Bhoys to break the deadlock.

Teams will come to Celtic Park all season and camp inside their own box and force us into the wide areas. It’s imperative we improve and become ruthless in front of goal.

So while I definitely sympathise with Celtic supporters who dislike Livingston’s style of play, I can see where Martindale is coming from. He’s working with the resources available to him to pick up points.

In other news, Ange shares what he’ll be telling Giakoumakis after poor Celtic penalty miss.