Martindale reveals Livi have signed three new players for next season

Livingston manager David Martindale has revealed he has signed three players on pre-contract agreements for next term.

The Lions boss is braced for a major summer rebuild as his side face the prospect of relegation to the cinch Championship, a fate that could be confirmed on Saturday afternoon if they fail to win away to Motherwell.

Martindale revealed last month that several players will be leaving at the end of the campaign, but he was delighted to report that he has found others who have an appetite to play for the West Lothian club next season regardless of what division they are in.

“That’s us got three on pre-contracts that will get announced over the coming weeks,” he said. “They were probably done three or four weeks ago. They are boys who for me could play in the Premiership but who were also willing to commit their futures to Livingston knowing we could be in the Championship.

“It’s about attracting the right type of character, and the three we have got tied up just now are the right characters because they’ve committed to us before we know where we’re going to be playing next season. That’s what I want, boys committing to the football club.”

Martindale gave an insight into the type of player he is looking at recruiting.

“I’m not really bothered about age, it’s more about how many games they’ve got under their belts and their ability,” he said. “Has my recruitment changed from previous seasons? Of course it has.

“Where I’m shopping from has probably dropped down a couple of tiers. In years gone by I’d maybe try and get a couple from League One (in England) while looking at League Two and the National League. Now, in all honesty, I’m looking at National League North, National League South and focusing on academies.”

Martindale also revealed that he is trying to sign a goalkeeper on an emergency loan to provide back-up for Shamal George in the closing weeks of the campaign as Jack Hamilton is still struggling with a groin problem.