Marvyn Bartley found out about the post-split fixtures one hour before they were issued to the media and general public and it means that Livingston will have two home games and three away.
The West Lothian club will also have 20 road games this season with only 18 at home, but Livingston’s manager told the media: “We will just have to get on with it.”
The schedule also did not surprise the former Hibs midfielder who said: “I have ended up with two home and three away, there is obviously a reason behind it, and we will never find out.
“It is not the first thing that has surprised me (in Scottish football) it probably won’t be the last.”
As it stands, Livi host Aberdeen on Friday, May 1 (19.45pm) and Kilmarnock on Sunday, May 17 (14.00) and are away at St Mirren (Saturday, April 25, 15.00), Dundee (Saturday, May 9, 15.00), and Dundee United (Tuesday, May 12, 19.45pm) and St Mirren, and they need wins to beat the dreaded drop back into the Championship.
The 39-year-old has not sorted out his contract position with the club but he said: “I am very comfortable with the situation I am in. I am working hard every single day. Me and my staff know that we focus on every single game. Things have a way of working out.”
The Reading-born manager said he has spoken to “a couple of players” whose contracts are running out, but added: “In terms of being offered something or not being offered something they are like us (the coaching staff), they are working away. What will be will be.”
Livi travel to Dundee United on Saturday in their final William Hill Premiership, regular season, fixture (kick-off 15.00) and Bartley believes his men are improving every week. That is his focus.
He confirmed that the attitude of the players has been top class, and the draw against Hearts was an indication of that.
Bartley added: “All I can do is work to the best of my ability and my staff are the same.”
His players must show 100 per cent in matches and in training and, if they don’t, they won’t be in the squad which has only recorded one win all season, a 3-1 home success over Falkirk, last year’s Championship winners, back on August 9, with goals from Pittman, Smith and Bokila. Maciver netted for the visitors.
Bartley said: “We understand the situation we are in. We have not won enough games, but we go into every game planning to win that game of football.
“Unfortunately for us, it has not worked out that way and there are six games to go. Our plan is to win every single game of football. Will we do it? Probably not, but we have to aim to do that in every game. We can’t come off it and play for draws.”
MEDIA HOT SEAT: Marvin Bartley in the Media Room at The Home of the Set Fare Arena. Picture Nigel Duncan
