David Martindale has still to convince the SFA he’s fit and proper to manage Livingston.
But being grilled by a three-man panel at Hampden might be a breeze compared to the questions coming his way from daughter Georgia in the coming weeks.
Right now, along with Rangers ’ Steven Gerrard, Martindale is one of the top flight’s best-performing gaffers.
He’s got a second chance in life and is grabbing it.
Livingston are now 10 games unbeaten and preparing for a Betfred Cup semi-final at Hampden today against St Mirren.
But until the game’s governing body give him the all clear, it’s difficult for Martindale to escape his past.
Within himself, that might never happen. A criminal conviction for drugs trafficking in 2006 resulted in a six-and-a-half year jail term.
He has been rehabilitated, has a university degree and is now a successful football boss.
But Martindale has revealed that part of that process was recently telling eight-year-old Georgia what he went through before she was born.
His wife Martha is also more concerned about the SFA hearing than he is. That’s why he hopes, when his credentials are rubber-stamped, he and his family can finally get on with their lives.
Ahead of the biggest game of his coaching career today, Martindale was asked if the uncertainty around his position was hanging over him.
The Livingston boss said: “Personally, I’m quite relaxed about it. But my wife and the wee one keep saying to me: ‘Dad, dad, what’s happening?’
“Georgia is only eight years old so when all of this came out, I had to sit her down and explain.
“She’s using Google, she’s got her iPad, so I had to tell her what happened previously, before she was even born.
“She now knows all about my past and this was only three or four weeks ago.
“So she’s now asking me: ‘Dad, are you the manager yet?’ And I tell her: ‘I don’t know, darling, I need to go to a meeting.’
“Martha worries about stuff like that but I’m a big believer in what will be, will be. I can’t do anything to affect the decision. “
