Livingston look like being dealt another major blow for next season after manager David Martindale revealed Stéphane Oméonga is likely to leave the club this summer.
The former Hibernian loanee’s deal with the Lions runs out at the end of the campaign and spoke at the weekend of uncertainty over his next step as he prepares to become a father for the first time.
But Martindale admitted the former Belgium under-21 internationalist is set to follow skipper Nicky Devlin and Jack Fitzwater out of the door at Almondvale under freedom of contract.
He said: “Steph probably sees his football being played elsewhere next season, which is fair enough.
“When he came here he took a wee bit of a chance on us and we took a bit of a chance on Steph. And I think it’s worked out well for both parties.
“He’s reached a point in his career where he’s got married and his wife is expecting a baby. They’ve got to see where their future lies over the next three or four years.
“That’s him now been away from home for a good number of years and he’s now settled in terms of a relationship and is going to be a father, and that makes you re-evaluate what you’re maybe looking for in your football career.
“I’m more than happy to support Steph in whatever decision he makes.
“Would I like to keep Steph at the club? Yes, I would. Would I like to keep Nicky? Would I like to keep Fitzy? Of course I would.
“But it reaches a point in their own careers where they’ve got to go and do what’s right for them and not Livingston Football Club.
“I think all three players are probably at that point in their own development and their own careers.
“I’d be more than happy to shake his hand and thank him [Oméonga] for everything he’s done for Livingston.”
Whilst Oméonga looks like departing, Martindale is delighted to have agreed a two-year contract extension with former Rangers and Hearts midfielder Jason Holt.
He added: “I’m thrilled that we’ve managed to get Jason’s contract signed and sealed for the next two seasons.
“Holty has been a big player for us over the last three years and sets the right example here both on and off the park on a daily basis.
“It’s hugely important that we can keep our best players at the club and Holty absolutely falls into that category.”
