Livingston v Celtic: Big ask to humble Hoops but with a bit of luck we can, says Martindale

David Martindale admits his dream of taking Livingston to Hampden is a “big ask” with Celtic standing between them and a place in the Scottish Cup semi-finals on Sunday.

But he reckons Motherwell stunning Rangers at Ibrox in the league last week shows Glasgow’s big two can be toppled in their own backyard – with a little bit of luck.

The Lions travel to Glasgow’s East End on a dismal run of form that has them rock bottom of the Premiership and staring at relegation.

Few folk will give Martindale’s men a chance of causing an upset in their first Scottish Cup quarter-final since 2005.

However, Motherwell’s 2-1 win in Govan – the Steelmen’s first success there in the league for 27 years – last Saturday shows stranger things have happened.

Boss Martindale, who hopes to take the Lions to the national stadium for the first time since their League Cup final defeat to St Johnstone in 2021, said: “I want to take the club back to Hampden and get the fans back to Hampden.

“We still have a chance to do that but it is a big ask.

“On the day, we need a bit of luck, we need to be at the top of our game and we need Celtic to be a wee bit off their game.

“I will be honest and say this is the first year where I’ve felt that is the kind of tie I didn’t want.

“Most years, you look at it and want the Old Firm. The powers that be at the club are absolutely delighted with the draw because it will help us out financially.

“I would have taken anybody at home, but Celtic away is disappointing.

“Of course, you have a chance of winning the game but the probabilities of you winning when you go to Parkhead or Ibrox are stacked against you.

“I’m not saying it can’t be done. Look at Motherwell going to Rangers last week.

“But if you put that into perspective, that was the first time Motherwell had won there in the league for 27 years.

“So it shows you how big an ask it is to go and win at these places. If I am honest, I think Motherwell rode their luck in the game so you need all the mitigating factors to fall on your side to give you a chance.

“We are capable of doing it. We will go there with belief and there is no use going there if you don’t have it.

“But you’ve also got to have an element of pragmatism because Celtic beat Dundee 7-1 in their last home game.

“Celtic should be missing Callum McGregor [through injury], who is the outstanding player in the squad, a top player.

“But Brendan Rodgers is a top manager and he will have his aspirations of making sure they get to a semi-final at Hampden.

“I am under no illusions how hard it is going to be.”

Martindale says he will be without two key players for the clash with skipper Mikey Devlin and Cristian Montano – who made his first start since January 20 in Saturday’s draw at St Johnstone – set to miss out through injury.

He added: “Mikey Devlin went off injured on Saturday, so he is getting a scan and will be out. Montano came off as well so it is not ideal.

Livingston’s Michael Devlin is forced off with an injury against St Johnstone and is set to miss the Celtic clash

“It is the story of our season that we get players back and lose them in the next game.

“It is what it is and we just need to get on with it.”

Sunday’s big clash is a 2.30pm kick-off at Celtic Park and will be shown live on Viaplay.