The shocking stats that David Martindale can’t dispute
Livingston are apparently a robust, physical side. Their opponents will know that they’ve been in a game.
Except last night.
A cup semi-final place was up for grabs, decent bonuses for players and management against opponents who were booed off the pitch three days earlier despite winning the match.
Put in a few early fouls to let their opponents know that they are in for a tough night would normally be the message direct from the manager or from senior players.
On a vile night of storms at Ibrox 15,000 angry bears opted to say at home, it seems that David Martindale took the match as an opportunity to try out a much less physical approach to the game…
Livingston average 14 fouls per game this season.
22 fouls v Aberdeen
17 fouls v St Mirren
17 fouls v Celtic5 fouls v Rangers https://t.co/JhDHCVYvsL
— Lint (@Zeshankenzo) September 27, 2023
Against Celtic on Saturday Bruce Anderson and Mo Sangare caused the Celtic defence a few problems, Sangare made the run that led to Joe Hart being sent off.
Playing on the nerves of the home players and fans by going at the heart of Micky Beale’s defence would seem an obvious tactic, last night both strikers stayed on the bench until the 77th minute when their team was trailing 2-0.