Author: ThePatterPod

I was joined this week on Football Patter by Adam Stewart and Simon Finnigan to talk through the recent turmoil at Celtic Football Club and all things Scottish Football. You can find the latest Football Patter Podcast below or on all podcast platforms – @ThePatterPod

By Shaun Forrest

As the final whistle blew at Ibrox so went Celtic’s hopes of clawing back three essential points against their Glasgow rivals. For all Celtic controlled the game until the sending off, they were still unable to really breach the Rangers back-line and were clearly still off the pace of truly competing for this title. 

Celtic have made it somewhat of a tradition to get the much-needed winter sun. Last season after Rangers had beaten them 2-1 at Celtic Park, closing the gap to only two points with a game in hand, Neil Lennon’s men got away from all the media attention to use the “fantastically luxurious facilities” in Dubai. The squad came back refreshed, bonded and fit. They were ready to fight off Rangers to secure Nine in a row -which to all credit they did. Yes, the season was called early with eight games and 24 points still to play for but ultimately Rangers had deteriorated, finding themselves 13 points adrift while Celtic had gone on a ten-game unbeaten League run (only dropping two points away to Livingston). 

The character and strength shown in the Celtic squad after their winter break was testament to Neil Lennon’s motivational skills, the winning mentality ingrained in the club, and Leigh Griffiths finding form. Was it the Dubai-Trip that gave Celtic the extra edge and could it work again ?

A nation has sacrificed for nearly a year with all manner of restrictions we are far too familiar with but even in November when Celtic’s Winter Training Camp was granted by the Scottish Government, Scottish FA and the Joint Response Group why did nobody ask the question if this was essential? Or why did these governing bodies not recognise that no other club was making the same request and why was the fixture moved against Hibernian without their approval?

The answer is the running joke on everybody’s lips in Scottish football:  because it’s Celtic. A sad reality but the truth none-the-less that Peter Lawwell and his club have had the rub of the green for many years, even during a global pandemic with a travel ban and a country on its knees. The Scottish FA were pleading with Nicola Sturgeon for financial support at the same time the approval for Celtic to spend an estimated £250,000 on a Winter Training Camp was granted.

They will follow all appropriate procedures, they will be socially distanced, they are going out to train hard, they will not mix with the public. All the promises made to a nation stuck inside only allowed to travel for essential work and shopping. Celtic supporters were feeling deflated and angry before the defeat to their bitter rivals but to wake up with a picture of Neil Lennon and Scott Brown sitting poolside, a couple of cold beers between them, was a demoralising blow. To show not only such disrespect to the current Scottish Government guidelines but, more so, the proverbial two-fingers to the supporters who have sacrificed everything.

The picture was shamefully swept under the carpet with explanations that these people are also humans and are allowed downtime. The image was swiftly countered by the club, with dozens of videos and pictures of a squad training hard, giving everything on the blistering hot training ground. When questioned about the clear disregard to social distancing guidelines It was casually excused that some “minor things” may have occurred -this was acceptable for John Kennedy. Nobody would ever object that players and managers deserve downtime from football but with this trip being so criticised and out of touch with reality, I would have expected something more understated.

Celtic flew home on their private charter, the players well-drilled and ready to obliterate the rest of the league, but not until they had all been tested. This surely was the crucial moment that all involved would have been dreading, the realisation that those present might have contracted or spread the virus in return for some winter sun. 

It didn’t take long for the news to break that Christopher Jullien had tested positive. This resulted in 13 players and three members of staff having to self-isolate, including Lennon and Kennedy. Scottish football boiled over, not only did this put Celtic’s home tie against Hibs in jeopardy, this could be the red card Nicola Sturgeon had threatened. It was time, this had to be the moment Celtic and the board stood up, held up their hands to Scottish football and sincerely said “Sorry”. 

Not even close, the statement released on Monday was beyond arrogant. No kind of apology was made and claims of conducting correct protocols was all that was to be heard. The statement was tone deaf beyond belief and the Celtic faithful were again made to look on poor leadership that has lost touch with them and the country. The Celtic statement paired with another announcement that Scottish Football was being suspended from the SPFL League One and below. Some clubs would financially benefit from mothballing another few months, but the overall feeling is this decision was made by the Scottish FA to appease the pressure from the Scottish Government after what can only be described as a catastrophic decision to let the Dubai trip go ahead.

When Celtic took to the field against Hibs on Monday night it was clear from the start that this year’s winter training wasn’t going to be the quick fix of last season. The inability to deal with a cross late in the game saw Conor Hazard flapping at the ball and Kevin Nisbet securing the share of points with a quick-reaction finish. With six changes in the Celtic starting line-up and a bench full of youth it was going to be a tough task against Jack Ross’s Edinburgh men. With a debut for the young American, Cameron Harper, and Mikey Johnston given his first start after returning from injury, it actually felt refreshing to see some youth being given a chance even in these circumstances.

Hibs started the game looking the more comfortable with Kevin Nisbet’s header just missing the target and Joe Newell working Conor Hazard with a half-volley. The best chance came from the growing Celtic side who worked the ball well after Newell lost it under pressure; Mikey Johnston slipped in Harper but a rush of blood saw his strike fire into the side-netting when he could have cut the ball back into the path of an open Johnson or Turnbull with the goal gaping. The ever impressive Ismaila Soro called Hibs new keeper Macey into action with a dangerous strike from outside the box as Celtic became more confident.

Both teams will be disappointed by giving away needless fouls for goals in the second half. David Turnbull showed incredible technical ability to curl his strike neatly into the top corner. Hibernian knew Celtic were still struggling to deal with set-plays and sure enough a ball floated to the back post before being headed back across goal was too much for the Celtic defence and a flapping Hazard. Hibernian were in this game from the off and probably regret not committing more men forward in the final third but a point at Parkhead is probably fair considering their recent poor form. Nothing can be taken away from a superb free-kick from David Turnbull but overall the Celtic team looked like their heads were elsewhere -sitting by a pool with a cold beer perhaps.

The Celtic board could not hide from the criticism or the fans’ utter disappointment which has forced Peter Lawwell into making a public apology in the form of a Celtic TV interview. The interview began with Mr Lawwell apologising to the supporters, stating the Dubai trip was a mistake on reflection, followed up with a strong defence and justification of the team complying with government guidelines during the trip. He went on to explain that the decision was made to benefit the squad but again arrogantly ignored the potential wider impact on other clubs or possibly the whole of Scottish football. The Chief Executive laughed off claims that Celtic had acted arrogantly and argued that they feel those comments are unfair as the club have donated over one million pounds to help with the effects of the pandemic. Mr Lawwell finished off his interview by again directing an apology to the Celtic support and a promise that the club they want to have is here. If only he had stopped speaking, but instead he followed up the apology with a horrific tone-deaf quote about the pandemic:

“It’s affected our club, probably our club more than any”

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Whilst writing this I was fortunate to speak with TalkLivi host Euan Rankine which can be found below the article and on all podcast platforms @ThePatterPodcast

By Shaun Forrest

When another Barlinnie prisoner reassured David Martindale with the phrase “We’re your family now” he immediately understood this would never be the case for him. David had already started his rehabilitation 26 months before he was sentenced to six and a half years for drug and money laundering offences. The day he was granted bail in 2004 after spending four days at London Road Police Station, pending his trial, was when he decided it all had to change to save himself and his family. Being accepted into Heriot-Watt University later the same year he completed 26 months of a construction project management degree before pleading guilty and being sentenced to prison. David is someone who has owned his mistakes. He won’t hide the person he was but shows pride, determination and courage to continue being the person he is today -a man who keeps looking forward after changing his mindset and taking that second chance.

David was released in 2010 and was granted acceptance back into Heriot-Watt, for which he is still eternally grateful. These experiences fuel his belief that institutions like universities, businesses and even football clubs have to be more inclusive and give people that hope for a second chance of which he is living proof. The Scottish FA once denied David the ability to study for his coaching licence but thankfully the Irish FA were more inclusive to ex-offenders -mainly due to the amount of ex-political offenders who had likewise been convicted. Since then David has praised the SFA for a recent announcement of the ‘Football Unite’ campaign that will remove the barriers that once held him back, promoting a platform to educate the wider footballing community spearheaded by the SFA’s Malcolm Kpedekpo and Pauline MacDonald.  

Football was something David always had a passion for and he played with Rangers in his younger years. Once a liberated man he returned to play junior football with Linlithgow Rose, West Calder and Whitburn while still studying and graduated with a 2:1 Honours. David turned his attention to coaching at Broxburn Athletic where he first worked with the now Livingston talisman Scott Pittman. His determination and charisma was known around West Lothian and the East of Scotland League which gave him the opportunity at Livingston FC under John McGlynn on a volunteer basis -an opportunity that David grabbed with both hands.

A perfect combination of Livingston being in a financial transition and David’s enthusiasm to learn and progress started the remarkable journey that would begin with David Martindale picking up cones and lead him to eventually picking the first team.

John McGlynn left Livingston in December 2014 by mutual consent, the role was given to former player and assistant Mark Burchill who David had worked more closely with during his time and had clearly impressed, earning himself a more notable coaching role within the staff. Livingston won the Scottish Petrofac Cup and stayed in the Championship with an eighth place finish that saw Burchill’s caretaker role at the club being made permanent for the following season. However, he was ultimately sacked after a run of only two wins in ten roughly one year after being first appointed.

David ‘Hoppy’ Hopkin was promoted from Burchill’s assistant to manager, he asked David to become his right hand man and assistant manager. It was at this point the media first gave light to Livingston for David’s appointment and highlighted his past which was unsurprisingly not well received in all corners of Scottish football. This was despite David doing everything the correct way: enrolling in education, pleading guilty, admitting his crimes, showing remorse, engaging with programs and excelling in his rehabilitation process by completing his degree, working full time and coaching. The media and people looking down from their ivory tower criticised him and the club, accusing Livingston of not hiring people who can be role models when actually they had done exactly that. Being inclusive to look beyond a person’s label as an ex-offender and instead see them for who they are now is incredibly brave in such a bitterly judgmental football industry.

Hoppy & David were a successful partnership but despite a late season victory against Rangers they were unable to keep Livingston in the Championship, a narrow defeat to Stranraer in the play offs meant relegation for the upcoming 2016/17 season, the first club setback since being demoted.

Livingston were heavy favourites for the League One title and they didn’t disappoint by racking up 81 points, scoring 80 goals and creating the formidable back three of Lithgow, Halkett and Gallagher. The style in that League One season of being direct and strong was the foundation for how the team would move forward, a clear direction that pressured opposition into battles all over the pitch. Livingston were expected to be promoted but nobody expected it to happen back to back.

All the glowing reports and awards went to Jack Ross’s St Mirren at the end of the 2017/18 season, the Paisley side topping the table with ten points and Ross claiming PFA Manager of the Year. Livingston finished second but beat Patrick in the Premiership Play-Offs to secure promotion. The Lions shocked everyone in the Championship with this new back to basic, aggressive style of direct football. A simple approach of playing the game in the oppositions final third. Critics will call it route one, hoof-ball and ugly but the Livingston support watched a well organised, drilled squad battle every 90 minutes leaving everything on the pitch. That gritty determination to constantly work and fight for your club and outwork the opposition is not just coincidentally matched with David Martindale’s personality and work ethic.

For whatever reason David Hopkin decided he wasn’t the man to take Livingston into the Premiership, his legacy would remain bringing the club back to where it once belonged. Livingston CEO John Ward was a believer in the phrase “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. The coaching staff and background teams within the club had built a strong bond, with David Martindale now being the man to lead. To John Ward’s surprise David turned down the job offer to become first team manager. Even though he had in every way turned his life around, David still felt the guilt and shame of his past. He believed his appointment could bring shame and unwanted attention onto the club which again is a damming reflection of our modern game.

The board looked elsewhere but David was given the role Head of Football Operations, working alongside whoever was to be brought in as manager and to bridge the gap between them and the board. With such a strong union of staff and players and with an even stronger philosophy of how to play football while still in full euphoria from promotion, it was always going to be a tough ask finding a perfect fit at the first time of asking.

Kenny Miller is a household name in Scotland but not as a coach never mind a first team manager. Kenny signed on a player-manager basis which worked well to into the role that David was occupying as assistant. The board believed keeping the coaching staff together and adding a fresh minded coach who would also be one of the squad’s best players appeared like a win-win. After five League Cup Group matches and two Premiership matches the board and Kenny came to the agreement it wasn’t going to work despite only two defeats in the seven games -a narrow 1-0 away to Motherwell and the usual 3-1 against Celtic. The narrative was that John Ward and the board asked Kenny to retire from playing and become the manager on a full time basis, Kenny believed he still had some playing years ahead and signed for Dundee instead. Reports were the split was mutual and amicable but later the same season Kenny made a sharp dig that he had concerns about the club and its inner workings. This was potentially directed to David Martindale and the staff who wanted Livingston to continue playing the same direct style of football.

John Ward quickly moved for Kenny’s replacement but not before asking David again if he would take the job, but his answer was still the same. Gary Holt would be the next man to take the hot seat at the Tony Macaroni and embrace the strong culture embedded into the club. Gary and David had a tough job ahead keeping Livingston in the Premiership but they managed a 9th place finish turning the Tony Mac into somewhat of a plastic fortress with the fourth best home record in the league. This was ultimately down to the continuation of what has been a winning style and philosophy: if you can out-run, out-fight and want to win more than your opponent, you will always have a chance. Livingston bullied defences and kept the door closed themselves but couldn’t find the goals required to push them further up the league, recruitment was needed.

Looking down the leagues to find someone who could lead the Livingston attack you might notice a veteran striker playing at Queen of the South who finished the season with 45 goals. Stephen ‘Goal Machine’ Dobbie is a great of the Scottish League but at the age of 37 Dobbie needs legs around him -it takes a man of incredible work rate and ability to play alongside and assist him to score that obscene amount of goals. Step in who will shortly be the newly found Scotland Euro’s Hero, Lyndon Dykes. His colourful hair and hold up play were quickly noticed in the Premiership and perfectly suited Livingston’s style. Livingston went on to earn the highest league finish since 2001/02 with fifth place in the 2019/20 season, this was accompanied by the third best home form and beating Celtic 2-0.

The beginning on 2020/21 season has been one like no other, the Covid-19 pandemic has made football shut its doors and play games in front of cardboard cut outs. Livingston started the season with only three wins in 15, this was not a time for panic or even a sense that things had to change structurally but Gary Holt made the decision he was no longer the man to lead. Gary was honourable in his departure, praising the club, the players and especially his coaching staff. It was simply time to leave and he did with his integrity intact.

Some speculation was made about who would be the next Livingston Manager but John Ward knew exactly who he wanted. David Martindale was asked again if he would take the job. After being with the club for 6 years, climbing the ladder through hard work and passion, did he finally believe in himself?

David was appointed caretaker with Tony Caig which resulted in four straight victories including a League Cup Quarter Final against Ross County. The club officially offered David the job which was accepted and announced on 21st December 2020, marking what can only be described as inspirational considering he was walking the route inside Barlinnie only 14 years ago. Another three victories have followed since his official appointment including a dominant 3-0 victory over Jack Ross’s Hibernian at Easter Road.

Livingston Football Club have shown that being brave and not judging a person by the label they once carried can result in gaining respect and success. Scottish Football might still have a chance if they truly believe that everyone has the ability to be great.