'It felt like I had my Livingston no.9 back' says boss as he heaps praise on striker

Livingston boss David Martindale says striker Bruce Anderson was back to his best despite failing to find the net in their win over St Johnstone.

The 24-year-old was recalled to the starting line-up after having to make do with a place on the bench in consecutive 3-0 defeats at St Mirren and Motherwell in their previous two fixtures.

And the former Aberdeen man was the star of the show for the Lions with an exquisite defence-splitting pass to send Joel Nouble through for the opener on 23 minutes before winning the free-kick that was wonderfully curled home from 25 yards by Stephen Kelly just before the interval.

He also teed up Steven Bradley to sweep home unmarked at the back post only to have been ruled out for offside.

The win keeps Livi’s hopes of a top six finish alive as they travel to Tannadice on Saturday knowing only a win will do - and that must be coupled with either St Mirren losing at home to Kilmarnock or Hibs dropping points away to struggling St Johnstone.

Martindale commented: “I think in Bruce Anderson, I felt that I had my Livingston no.9 back on the park.

“It’s a side of the game that he’s got to get better at - I know he’ll score goals and he’s always good in and around the box but I speak to him quite a bit and we do a lot of work with him before training.

“A Livingston striker maybe scores one every four games. It’s about what are you doing in the other three games?

“I thought his all-round link-up play was fantastic, his application in the press was fantastic. He sets up the first goal, wins the free-kick for the second and actually sets up Bradley for the offside goal - I thought he was brilliant.

“He’ll be devastated that he’s not scored but I’m absolutely delighted with him.”

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