Livingston: David Martindale says saving side from relegation would be 'biggest achievement'
- Published
David Martindale says it is probably the most significant period of his career
David Martindale says steering Livingston away from relegation after "three years of hell" would be his "biggest achievement" as a coach.
The Scottish Premiership's bottom side have narrowed the gap to three points on Saturday's opponents Ross County.
But Martindale believes their position would be less precarious if not for ongoing litigation between the club and former board members.
"Half a million pounds it's cost over the last three years," he said.
"That budget coming away from the football department through litigation has made the job extremely hard."
Livingston lost £800,000 in the last financial year, adding to debts of more than £1m, and the court battle has deterred interested parties from investing in the club.
"The club would be in a far better place if it wasn't for outside parties blocking everything the current regime are trying to do," Martindale said.
It has also piled more workload on a manager who would otherwise be concentrating on putting a team on the park.
"It's been three years of hell, dealing with a lot of adversity in the building, dealing with lawyers, emails," Martindale said. "I am fortunately or unfortunately the main constant at the club.
"I have been here for 10 years. I've known 99% of the background. So they have relied on me to help the club through that difficult moment."
Poor results on the park led Martindale to suggest earlier this season that he was willing to stand down if it would help his side avoid relegation.
"There's been some dark moments and I like to be honest with media," he said. "But I'm fairly resilient. I am used to adversity. Probably half an hour later, I'm sitting with my staff saying 'let's go again'."
Livingston have responded with a Scottish Cup over Partick Thistle and a league defeat of St Mirren before their vital trip to Dingwall this weekend.
"We are under no illusions about how big a game it is," Martindale added. "Probably the most significant period of my managerial or coaching career.
"If I can keep Livingston in the Premiership, it is the biggest achievement I've had at the club and that includes winning League One and getting promoted from the Championship and getting to a cup final.
"I think I was very vocal at the start of the season speaking about how difficult a season it was going to be. Granted, I didn't think it was going to be this difficult.
"It would be a monumental achievement for the players and staff and the club. Not me - everybody collectively."
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