Livingston boss David Martindale has targeted a win at Falkirk on Friday night to reignite the Championship title race.
While the Lions gaffer insists it’s just three points at the Falkirk Stadium, and is under no illusions over how difficult that will be, he concedes it’s a chance to close the gap on their rivals to just a point.
Falkirk will then have a game in hand, but Martindale is looking for his players to show what they can do and grab a second win over the Bairns this season, with a draw in the first meeting of the sides.
And he praised the job that Falkirk boss John McGlynn and assistant Paul Smith have done, since winning League One just last season.
Martindale said: “It’s a big game. Every game is a big game and it’s the same three points.
“But obviously you can gain three points on one of your rivals.
“What I will say is that Falkirk are sitting top of the league for a reason, they’ve shown real consistency, they’ve got continuity, and John and Smudger have done a great job, so it’s going to be a difficult game.
“We need to go out and win it, but that’s no different from any other Saturday. We need to go out and win games of football and this Friday night is the exact same.
“There’s not a lot between the teams. I don’t think there’s a lot between the top three or four.
“To be fair, I don’t think there’s a lot between any teams on their day. Anyone can take points off anyone, so the teams at the top end, for obvious reasons, have shown a wee bit more consistency than others, but it’s a really competitive league.
“Three points would be brilliant for us, so we’ll go there and try to win, but we’re under no illusions how hard it’s going to be.
“We’re more than capable of doing that, but on the flip-side of that, Falkirk are more than capable of winning the game also.
“We need to find the best version of us to give ourselves the best chan
ce of picking the three points up.”
Livingston follow their trip to Falkirk with an SPFL Trust Trophy semi-final at Dunfermline on Wednesday evening, and welcome Cove Rangers in the Scottish Cup last-16 on February 8.
“It’s a good place to be. I was saying that to the boys, that it’s testament to the players in the changing room,” said Martindale.
“I haven’t got them to where they are in the league or to semi-finals, it’s the players. Players win you leagues and cups, and make you competitive.
“I think it’s huge compliment to the players in the changing room that we find ourselves competing in two cups and still in the hunt for promotion.
“They’ve all played a huge part in different stages of the season.”