Livingston boss David Martindale has hailed defensive duo Nicky Devlin and Jon Guthrie after confirming the club will be taking up the one-year option on both players.
The duo, who both made the move from Walsall to West Lothian at the start of last season, signed two year deals with an option to extend by a further year, something Martindale says will get done and dusted.
Devlin's action was limited during his first campaign due to a knee injury which saw him miss five months while the gaffer admits he's surprised there wasn't more interest in vice-captain Guthrie following a string of impressive displays during his time with the Lions.
Martindale said: "They’re massive players for Livingston.
“This is really Nicky's first year in the Premiership and I think he’s shown how big a player he is for Livingston, and how well personally he’s done. I’m delighted to secure the two of them.
“I thought we would have had a wee bit of interest in Jon from down south. I think he’s been absolutely incredible for us and a left-footed centre-half at six foot three, who chips in with goal are like gold dust.
“So, I expected maybe in the January transfer window to have a few phone calls about Jon, if I’m being honest. I think he could play in the English Championship all day long.
"I might get the old Tippex out and add another year to his deal."
The Lions host Hamilton Accies tomorrow knowing a point will secure them a place in the top six. The two sides, though, have contrasting form. While Livi have gone six matches without a win, Brian Rice's side have climbed off the foot of the table with a run of just one defeat in six.
So Martindale is under no illusions as to the task at hand, saying: "We need to start winning games of football.
“Momentum is hard to shift either way and we need to get back to keeping clean sheets.
"Hamilton are on a decent wee run and the only game they lost was at Hibs when the boy Hamilton was wrongly sent off. They played really well against Rangers and Chipper had goth the boys fighting for him.
“On our day we can beat anybody at home but it is not a game I will be taking lightly.”
A top half finish for a second successive campaign would be a remarkable achievement for Livi, who were plying their trade in League One just four years ago.
Martindale has played a key role in that journey and admits securing a place in the top six on Saturday would allow the club to reflect on their success over the past few years.
He commented: "I think if we secure top-six we can sit back, reflect a little bit and see the progression of the club over the last five years.
“Winning League One, getting promoted to the Championship. In the first year in the Premiership we finished ninth and even that, I think, was a good achievement. Then, last year finishing fifth, albeit Covid had a part to play in that.
“And we’re sitting fifth in the league just now. If we can secure top-six I think we can all sit back and reflect on it and see where we’re going as a club and see the trajectory we’ve been on.
"It’s testament to everybody at the club."
He added: "The aim was to finish 10th. We’ve been beating that drum for three years. If we’re realistic most fans would take us finishing 10th.
“But the problem is, they would take that but they want you to win every game of football. To finish 10th, what are you winning? Seven games, potentially, in the season, something like that.
“That’s the problem. Most fans are realistic and I think they would accept finishing 10th as probably round about a good achievement for the club but you’re expected to win every game of football."
