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David Martindale insists "momentum is key" ahead of Celtic clash

David Martindale has won eight and drawn one since he stepped up from assistant to take over from Gary Holt as Livingston boss.

David Martindale stressed the importance of momentum as he looks for Livingston to keep their impressive nine-game unbeaten run going against Celtic on Wednesday night.

The West Lothian side were more than worth their point at Parkhead in Saturday's 0-0 draw against the reigning champions, who were weakened by the loss of 13 players to coronavirus issues.

Martindale, who has won eight and drawn one since he stepped up from assistant to take over from Gary Holt, assessed the return Scottish Premiership fixture at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

He said: "Yes, momentum is key. It is really easy to manage when you are winning game of football.

"Problems take care of themselves and the positivity is shining through.

"Momentum is massive and winning games obviously builds on that momentum. The boys are always confident at home.

"When you are playing the Old Firm away from home it is little a bit different.

"But the Old Firm coming to Livingston, it is not a secret they don't like the artificial park and we train on it every day.

"So yes, the boys are confident going into the game.

"I have momentum on my side but Celtic still have a fantastic squad of individual players."

The Hoops had to utilise their squad after 13 players, as well as boss Neil Lennon and assistant John Kennedy, had to self-isolate as close contacts after Christopher Jullien tested positive for Covid-19 following the controversial mid-season training camp in Dubai.

All of those who had to self-isolate – aside from one player who was confirmed as positive on Monday – will be available for Wednesday.

Martindale said: "The last time they had all their players available was the Old Firm game (January 2).

"They played the 4-4-2 diamond and I thought they were fantastic in that game albeit they never came out on the right side of the result.

"I think it will be a similar team that plays on Wednesday night.

"It will be a tough night and a lot tougher than the Celtic team they played at Parkhead.

"Seven of the players who played against us on Saturday started in the Old Firm game.

"So I said to the boys that there is a fresh batch of players coming in on Wednesday night but we have nothing to fear."

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Celtic manager Neil Lennon pictured on November 5, 2020
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic220085275884
2RangersRangers220078255381
3Hearts20114637963
4Kilmarnock20114438652
5St Mirren21014246-446
6Dundee20024659-1341
Relegation Group
1Hibernian21014854-642
2Aberdeen22003749-1241
3Motherwell21015053-340
4Ross County21013459-2533
5St Johnstone20022550-2531
RLivingston21012563-3821
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


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