Livingston boss hails 'strongest squad in the league' after Hamilton Accies win

By Ian Steven

Livingston boss David Martindale believes he has one of the strongest squads in the Championship, which has led to a ‘good’ start.

The Lions are third in the table, just behind Ayr United and leaders Falkirk, following a comfortable 3-0 home win over Hamilton Accies on Saturday.

Second-half goals from Scott Pittman and a Robbie Muirhead double saw Livi take their third league win of the season, with two draws from their five games so far.

But the fact that Muirhead climbed off the bench to put the result beyond doubt left Martindale purring.

After a turgid first half, talisman Pittman broke the deadlock in 56 minutes when Reghan Tumilty’s attempted interception broke into his path, and the midfielder fired a rocket into the top corner from outside the box.

Daniel Finlayson delivered an inch-perfect cross to the back post for Muirhead to double Livingston’s lead in 81 minutes, and Pittman teed up the former Morton man to slam home a second.

“I think in most games the subs have had a big impact on the game, and that happened today,” said Martindale.

“I think the two of them – Liam Sole and Andy Winter as well – and Robbie had a huge impact on the game, which is pleasing from my point of view.

“I look through squads and I think there are teams you’ll look at, I feel they’ve got a good 12, or 14, whatever, but I feel that we’ve got one of the strongest squads in the Championship.

“But there’s not a lot in it, when you look at 11 v 11. There are fairly strong teams, but I think we’ve got one of the strongest, if not the strongest, squads.

“Starting 11 is debatable, that’s up for argument there, because there are a lot of good teams with a starting 11.

“But I feel we’ve got a really strong group, core, of maybe