SNS GroupLivingston boss David Martindale heaped praise on “brilliant” stand-in centre-half Mo Sylla after his side’s 1-1 William Hill Premiership draw at Dundee United.
The manager played the midfielder in the heart of his defence last week against Rangers and – with Ryan McGowan still not available – employed the Frenchman there again on Saturday at Tannadice.
Livi took the lead in the first half through Scott Pittman, with Krisztian Keresztes levelling for the hosts after the break.
Sylla was outstanding throughout, making a vital goal-line clearance as the hosts pushed for a winner and Martindale was delighted with the 31-year-old’s contribution.
The manager said: “Yes, Ryan McGowan better watch himself. I used Mo in pre-season for half an hour. Something told me to try him there and he wasn’t too bad.
“When Ryan got his illness, the boys in the office got a shock when I said I’d play Mo there.
“I think he has been brilliant and again today he was very good.
“On the ball in the first half everyone was really good but the back four, midfield four and goalie were tremendous against the ball – Mo being a big positive within that.”
Tannadice was still feeling the effects of Storm Amy on Saturday with the wind playing a big part in the game but Martindale was pleased with the way his team coped with the conditions and their opponents.
He added: “Speaking to the players, we were with the wind in the first half and we were well worth the goal and maybe could have had another.
“We forced United into a change. Second half, you could probably understand why we had a lot of territory in the first half.
“The wind was swirling and it made it really difficult to defend your final third but the players did that well.
“We lost the goal from a set-play with an individual not doing their job but we defended our 18-yard box really well.”
Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin made just one change to the team that had lost to Kilmarnock the previous week with Nikolaj Moller coming in for Amar Fatah, who was named as a substitute.
However, Fatah was brought on at half-time against Livi and his manager was delighted with the impact he made.
Goodwin said: “Amar showed a really good reaction to not being in the starting XI.
“He was ill earlier in the week and missed a couple of days training.
“We’re getting players back and it’s important players realise the competition for places is there.
“We need more consistency and people have to understand there are others breathing down their necks for their jerseys.”
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