Livingston 0, Aberdeen 0: Livi boss urges injured stars to help out

By Ian Steven

Livingston manager David Martindale bemoaned being reduced to the bare bones as his side battle relegation from the Scottish Premiership nine points adrift at the foot of the table.

The Lions could only field four outfield substitutes in a heroic 0-0 draw with Aberdeen, thanks in part to an inspirational display from goalkeeper Shamal George, leading to Martindale making an impassioned plea to his injured troops to “lend a hand.”

“We had four outfield subs on the bench today and there was a concussion substitute,” Martindale said.

“The referee said I could have another substitute. Where? I had four players and I could make six substitutions. And two of them were forced off through injury.

“The group we have just now need a hand. We need some of the injured players back giving us a hand.

“The group that was on the park today, the group that came on, the substitutes, I felt they showed the fans that they care. I think they have done that in most games.

“There are games of football when you should have taken something from the game. That is football. One thing you can never question from the group of players is the character. I thought they gave everything.

“The weather wasn’t good. The amount of head knocks. It was stop start and not any fluidity.

“In that first half, both teams had their best chances. The second half, I felt we were the better team if I am honest.

“I am not being disrespectful to Aberdeen. We tried to build. We got into good offensive areas. I felt the execution in the final third was missing. Whether that was down to our decision-making or Aberdeen defending well. Probably a wee bit of both.”

Aberdeen should have taken the lead on the 20 minute mark as Bojan Miovski latched on to a superb