Livingston have been forced to dip into the transfer market as Monday’s deadline looms after two players indicated they want away.
David Martindale, the club’s manager, admitted that two “unexpected” issues had forced his hand.
The Lions boss had only planned to add a defender to his squad before deadline day, but one player has indicated that he has not enjoyed as much game time as he had hoped. A club is interested.
Another player could go out on loan and Martindale said it was with a club “at a pretty decent level”.
He now envisages two newcomers at the Home of the Set Fare Arena, but admitted that two quality targets were tempted elsewhere at the last moment.
Meanwhile, the 10,000-capacity stadium could be buzzing on Saturday. The boss expects to see one of its biggest ever crowds when Hearts visit in the William Hill Premiership (15.00).
Travelling fans have snapped up around 5,000 tickets for the eagerly-awaited clash and he believes that around 8,000 will be inside the stadium at kick-off time.
Martindale goes into his 13th year with the West Lothian club and he confirmed that the Almondvale arena has seen around 10,000 fans when the Old Firm visit and he predicted that Saturday’s attendance looks set to be the biggest he has experienced out with a Rangers and Celtic match.
Hearts are seeking three points to keep pace with early pace-setters Celtic at the top of the league and to make up for the loss of two points to Motherwell last Saturday at Tynecastle when they were trailing 3-0 after 62 minutes before roaring back with three goals in 18 minutes to salvage a point.
Livingston lost 3-0 at Celtic Park after blanking the first-half but then losing three goals, two in five minutes, and Martindale said his men did not serve anything from the game.
Make no mistake, Livingston are aiming for a victory. Martindale does not underestimate the challenge which faces his men, but feels they are capable of a result.
He said: “We will have a go, we’re at home. Our players are more than capable of playing anyone at home and picking up points.”
