Livingston manager Davie Martindale has landed a tongue-in-cheek dig on the Celtic conspiracy cranks as he references Rangers captain James Tavernier in a post-match interview.
The likeable Tony Macaroni boss was the subject of Parkhead conspiracies earlier in the season, when he referred to Tavernier as “Tav” and Scott Arfield as “wee Scotty” following a 2-1 defeat for his side in July.
This, according to the perfectly reasonably minded sorts over in Glasgow’s eastend, was evidence that Davie Martindale was throwing games against Rangers and arming his side to withstand Celtic.
The entire thing was made even more hilarious when Davie Martindale went on to the Rangers fan Battle Fever podcast to eviscerate the “deluded” claims, sending several at Celtic Park further into meltdown.
Davie Martindale plants one on Celtic fans
Speaking after Rangers’ latest visit to play his side, with the Gers won 3-0, the Livingston boss asked the press if it was ok to refer to James Tavernier as “Tav”, goading those Celtic supporter claims earlier in the season.
This came with the Livingston boss bemoaning a second yellow card for Stephane Omeonga, which at 1-0 Martindale believes changed the outcome of the game.
Rangers captain would then step up from the resultant foul and whip a stunning free-kick into the near post top corner.
“I think the second yellow with Steph, you’re down to 10 men, Tav, am I allowed to say Tav?” Martindale said [Rangers Review].
“I’ve got to call him James. What is it? What will I say? Mr Tavernier? So I think James Tavernier then whips… a fantastic free-kick so you’re down to 10 men from the awarded foul.
“I’ve no doubt it may have been a foul, I don’t know, but you’re down to 10 men and I think the game is done at that point to be honest.”
Rangers won the match against Livingston courtesy of a double from James Tavernier and a late strike from Kemar Roofe.
Speaking after the game, Michael Beale revealed that Nicolas Raskin could be forced into a starting berth v Celtic.
