Livingston 0-0 Heart of Midlothian: David Martindale targets Europe after third and fourth draw

Livingston manager David Martindale admitted he has his sights set on Europe after his side’s goalless draw with third-placed Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Premiership.

New Hearts signings Yutaro Oda and Garang Kuol both spurned chances for the visitors.

And Kye Rowles’ spectacular clearance thwarted Livi’s Steven Bradley.

“We’ve always got a collective objective at the start of the year and ours is finishing 10th and staying in the Scottish Premiership,” Martindale told Sportsound.

“As you progress, you know where you are and suddenly it’s turned into top six. Why can’t Livingston get European football? This group is something special.

“It’s definitely one of my objectives – I’d love to manage in European football and I’d love to do that with Livingston.”

Hearts are now unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions, Livingston in six.

Injury and illness meant home manager Robbie Neilson was forced into five changes from the derby-winning side of last weekend and it showed as Hearts struggled to find a spark in the first-half.

Lawrence Shankland planted a header over from close range before Oda should have opened his Hearts account. The captain was the creator this time, clipping a perfect low ball into the box, but Oda somehow could not get a touch to bundle home.

It would be his last action of the game, replaced with Koul, who was to miss a similar sitter. Played through one-on-one by Stephen Humphrys, the Australian on loan from Newcastle United hared towards goal but blasted his shot straight at Shamal George, who reacted superbly to stop the rebound too.

The goalkeeper worked hard to keep the game goalless, denying Humphrys from close range and then from distance, tipping the latter shot around the post acrobatically.

At the other end, Zander Clark almost looked foolish when Bradley got onto a long ball ahead of the goalkeeper, chipping at goal, but Rowles raced back to volley off the line.

Player of the Match – Shamal George (Livingston)

Livi deny wasteful Hearts – analysis

Much was made of Hearts’ recent clinical streak in front of goal, but an xG of 1.56 tells you they showed Livingston mercy.

Much like the rest of the game, however, the big moments were missing a bit of quality – Oda and Kuol simply had to score.

Livingston did what Livingston can do, turning the game into a battle of attrition and making it scrappy.

That’s where they thrive and it was a point won for Martindale’s side.

What they said

Livingston manager David Martindale: “That’s five points we’ve taken off Hearts, who outside the Old Firm are the team to beat for me. They finished third last year. They’ve taken two off us, we’ve taken five off them. That shows the progress of the club.

“I thought I spotted Dick Campbell in the stands today – I think he borrowed the wind machine from Arbroath! The midfielders came off the park with a sore neck because the ball just went over the top of them. We were playing the conditions.”

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson: “I thought it was a poor game, all in. Both teams were poor, there was no real control or quality in the game. The surface played its part and the wind made it difficult. Sometimes you just have to take a point and get up the road.

“We had two opportunities we should have scored and, when you don’t score them, you won’t get the three points.”

What’s next?

Livingston travel to Glasgow to face Celtic on Wednesday night, while Hearts host Rangers at Tynecastle (both 19:45 GMT).