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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Callum Carson

David Martindale vows to learn from 'irresponsible and immature' middle finger gesture

Livingston boss David Martindale has vowed to learn from his ‘irresponsible and immature’ actions that saw him sent-off against Hibs.

Despite escaping a ban, the 48-year-old was sent to the stands late in their 4-1 loss for an ‘offensive gesture’ aimed at Hibs keeper David Marshall.

And while the boss says it was done in jest - and that the keeper offered to help with any disciplinary case brought against Martindale - he admits it was foolish.

The gaffer raised his middle finger towards Marshall to indicate there was one minute left but concedes he shouldn’t have done it.

He said: “It was irresponsible and foolish of me to do what I did. I am meant to be the leader of this club and in hindsight I shouldn’t have done it.

“I like to have a laugh with the officials and a bit of humour. I think that is better than shouting at them. Some of them can take it and others can’t.

“At the time I thought I was being humorous but, looking back, I shouldn’t have done what I did.

“There are kids watching the game and I make the gesture. They don’t hear what I am saying and see that David Marshall and I are laughing. I shouldn’t have done it.”

He added: “I have to educate myself. It was irresponsible and immature and I shouldn’t be doing it. I sent Lee Johnson a message after it as we missed each other due to speaking to the press after the game.

“I explained what happened and he said not to worry about it. I was losing 4-1, there was some frustration from me but I didn’t do it because I was frustrated.”

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