MX23RW : Monday, May 6 14:22:09| >> :600:111702:111702:

Nicky Devlin insists there is no "big overhaul" behind Livingston's revival

Nicky Devlin insists there is no
© Reuters
Livi have won all six matches since David Martindale took over from Gary Holt.

Livingston's turnaround in results has been dramatic since David Martindale took charge but Lions full-back Nicky Devlin claims they have not had to change much.

Livi have won all six matches since Martindale stepped up to take the reins after Gary Holt resigned in the wake of a defeat by St Mirren.

The run has seen the club double their Scottish Premiership points tally and reach the Betfred Cup semi-finals.

But Devlin said ahead of Wednesday's visit of Aberdeen: "We knew there wasn't much we had to change.

"We weren't getting the rub of the green at times and that happens when you are down the bottom, you don't get a decision here or there, or a wee bit of luck.

"The St Mirren game here, they scored from a deflected goal from a corner.

"We knew we didn't have to change much, it wasn't going to take a big overhaul to get us going.

"You have seen that, the performances haven't been too dissimilar to what they were at the start, but now we are picking up points."

Livi's latest win came after a fightback at Kilmarnock on Boxing Day after the hosts took the lead from the spot when Devlin was penalised for handball.

The decision left Devlin rueing the harshness of the recently updated handball rule.

"Kevin Clancy, the referee, said to me it was to do with the new rule," Devlin said.

"It hit my elbow and it probably was stopping the ball from going in, so I don't really think the referee had much choice in the end with the rules the way they are.

"From my point of view, I thought I was less than two yards away from him and I slipped on to the ground, and it wasn't as if I was making myself bigger. My arms were beside my stomach."

Devlin hopes something is done to relax the regulations, saying: "Even if it's just to do with close proximity. (Kirk) Broadfoot was two yards away and hit the ball fairly hard. I couldn't really do much.

"Listen, it didn't really affect us. If anything it probably kicked us on in the end."

ID:428364: cacheID:428364:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3548:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
General view of Almondvale Stadium, home to Livingston, from 2005
Read Next:
Livingston boss David Martindale talks up "fantastic" Aberdeen
>
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


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!