Livingston boss David Martindale reckons that Joe Hart’s save from Livingston defender Michael Nottingham’s header ‘kept Celtic in the game’. The Scottish Cup quarter-final at Celtic Park yesterday afternoon could have gone either way in the closing stages.
Celtic eventually ran out 4-2 winners with late goals from Daizen Maeda (to complete his hat-trick) and Kyogo making the difference after the scoreline was tied at 2-2. And at two each, Martindale effectively reckoned that it was a case of ‘next goal’s the winner. The Livi boss reckons that if wasn’t for Joe Hart’s brilliant save, that it could quite easily have been his side progressing to the semi-finals.
“Disappointed for the players, because they put a lot into the game,” Martindale said afterwards at Celtic Park. “Their shape and discipline was good and we took the chances when we had them. So, to have lost the game 4-2 is disappointing.”
‘It kept Celtic in the game’
“I’m not saying we should’ve beaten Celtic, they created the better chances but at 2-2 there’s a big save from Joe Hart, the header from Michael Nottingham. It’s a huge save in the game, which potentially could’ve seen it going to 3-2 for us. It kept Celtic in the game,” the Livingston manager said as reported by Glasgow Times.
Martindale added: “But big players produce big moments in games and that’s why big players are at clubs like Celtic. They then took the next chance. I wasn’t fussed about the fourth goal because we were chasing the game then.
Martindale actually fancied his side’s chances of causing a huge shock by knocking out the Scottish Cup holders on their own patch. That would have given Livingston a first ever win at Celtic Park.
‘Missing two of their best players’
“I felt today coming here was a bit different. They were missing two of their best players and when any team are missing two of their best players at any level, it gives you positivity and a bit of hope.
“Callum McGregor and Cameron Carter-Vickers are two of the outstanding players in the Scottish game. I did always feel we’d have opportunities through the game.
“The players put a lot into the game and I find it hard to be too critical of the players. I’m pretty proud of them today, albeit we’re out of the cup.”
