David Martindale will keep working hard to win matches as Livingston toil

David Martindale insists he is not ready to accept that Livingston are heading for relegation despite watching his team fall 10 points adrift of cinch Premiership safety.

The Lions’ 3-0 defeat at Hibernian on Saturday, coupled with Ross County’s victory over Hearts, left the West Lothian outfit further adrift at the bottom.

The weekend’s clash became a damage limitation exercise, with Hibs scoring all three goals within 22 minutes.

Livingston’s survival prospects look bleak as Martindale’s side have only managed three wins in 30 league outings so far – but he has refused to throw in the towel.

Martindale said: “I see it how I’ve seen it for the last two or three months.

“I wake up, go into my work and focus on trying to win the next game of football. That’s not going to change.

“Whether it’s mathematically impossible to stay up or not then the desire to go and win games of football won’t change.

“I’m not wanting to sit here and sound deluded. I’m well aware of how big the hole we are in is.

“But it’s not going to stop me getting out my bed every morning to come in and try to win that game of football.

“That’s how I have been approaching it.”

Livingston face Celtic after the international break and Martindale insists his players will not give up the fight.

He added: “I think there’s enough in the dressing room.

“We should have five back by the Celtic game, big players for us. That will really help with depth in terms of quality.

“I’m confident there’s enough in the dressing room to have the same mindset as me. It’s up to me to make sure there is enough to have the same mindset as me.”

Jordan Obita, Myziane Maolida and Adam Le Fondre all found the net for Hibs in a blistering start to the game.

Le Fondre made his first start since October following an injury lay-off and showed he still has a big part to play under boss Nick Montgomery.

Montgomery said: “He’s an important player for us, but only when he’s fit and available.

“He’s been frustrated with injuries. He wasn’t fit when I came in at the start and ended up missing three months of the season.

“He was a big loss, but Adam’s a top professional. His movement, and the way he brings others into play is the reason why he’s had the career he’s had.”