Livingston boss David Martindale says he’s delighted his side have wrapped up seventh place - because it means veteran keeper Gary Maley can finally retire.
The 39-year-old looks set to make his Premiership debut in Sunday’s season finale at home to Dundee with Martindale joking he’s been trying to ‘put him out to pasture’ for the last four seasons.
The former Broxburn Athletic goalie signed his first professional deal at the age of 33 when he became Livi’s back-up keeper in League One and has since made 11 appearances for the club - although he hasn’t featured in a league game since a Championship clash with Inverness four years ago.
Martindale said: “It’s a 12 goal swing for us to fall out of seventh, which might happen if I play big Stretch (Maley).
“I’ve been trying to retire him for four years - I’m being deadly serious.
“First season in the Premiership, the last game we wanted to give him 15 minutes but we were 3-0 down after 20 away at Motherwell so couldn’t do it. No chance.
“Next season was covid so the league was called early and last year the final game we had to win to get into a European place.
“Can you imagine if I put him on an he chucks one in? So this is the season I can do it.
“That’s the big man going out to pasture, that’s honestly the thing I’m most looking forward to on Sunday.”
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