Martindale’s approach to the game is what’s wrong with Scottish football

David Martindale’s approach to the game is what’s wrong with Scottish football…

When I arrived at Celtic Park yesterday I walked past the Livingston team bus. It was parked just outside the stadium, but inside the ground they also parked the bus metaphorically speaking of course. It wasn’t a surprise and everyone to a man, woman and child knew that’s how they would approach the game.

David Martindale’s side would get football stopped with their awful tactics. It ruins the game as a spectacle. They had zero shots on target and zero corners, not surprising because they never had any intention of doing anything other than defend and try to stop Celtic playing.

I know they are limited to what they can do, but hoofing the ball up the park and preparing themselves for another Celtic onslaught, really?

Luiyi de Lucas of Livingston vies with Kyogo Furuhashi during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park Stadium on December 23, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

They had no intention of advancing forward, a long throw in was as positive as it got for them. They had no fluency or rhythm to their game. Lump the ball forward and hope for the best, that was all they could muster. It was like watching a Sunday pub league side, no that’s insulting to Sunday league football as they would put up a better performance.

Livingston are all that’s wrong with Scottish football. No tactical knowledge, no ambition, and playing football from a bygone era. It’s why we are seen as a footballing backwater. Martindale’s side look like they could be relegated come May. Let’s hope so, sides like Raith Rovers or Dundee United would bring much more to the top flight.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

About Author

An ordinary everyday Celtic supporters hailing and still residing in Govan in the shadows of the enemy. I’m a season ticket holder. I Witnessed my first Celtic game in 1988 and have attended when I can ever since. Growing up in the 90s I witnessed Celtic at their lowest, and now appreciate the historic success we enjoy today. I enjoy writing about this wonderful football club and hopefully will continue to do so. I’ve always been a keen writer and initially started this a hobby. My ambition is to one day become as good an author as my fellow Celtic Star colleagues.

4 Comments

  1. I echo your hopes that Livingston get relegated in May, but for one reason that you never mentioned – it would be goodbye to their plastic pitch!! Teams wishing to play in the SPFL should be compelled to have a grass playing surface.

  2. Yep, it would certainly be good riddance to their negative, so-called ‘tactics’ & horrible plastic pitch but they’re not alone in the boring, negative approach that a a few other teams adopt, especially against us which makes those games awful to watch.

  3. Im not a fan of his by any means but the budget he to work on its probably only way they can play
    Aberdeen play the same way and they compete to be the 3rd force in Scotland

  4. It’s impossible for clubs the size of Livingston,Ross county etc to compete with the old firm, its the same when the old firm play in champions League, the gulf in finances means that on some occasions the old firm park the bus, at finally it’s not Livingstons job to entertain the Celtic support,thats celtics job , the arrogance of some old firm fans is off the scale ..