Livingston manager David Martindale has confirmed his interest in Robbie Deas, but admits he faces competition for the Inverness defender’s signature.

Martindale has held talks with Deas' agent in a bid to recruit the 23-year-old as a free agent this summer.

The Lions boss knows he cannot compete with other clubs financially but hopes Livingston’s success in providing a platform for players will convince the former Celtic trainee to make the move to the Tony Macaroni Arena.

Martindale has seen the likes of Lyndon Dykes, Liam Kelly, Craig Halkett and Alan Forrest being cherry-picked by bigger teams in the past and admits that is his selling point to Deas.

Martinindale, whose side host Hibs tomorrow, said: “I have spoken to Robbie’s agent but I am one of many clubs. 

“I do not want to talk too much about another club’s player but I have touched base with Robbie’s agent and made my interest clear, but I know 100 per cent there are at least four or five clubs in Scotland and a couple in England that are showing the same type of interest. 

“Robbie is someone who is on my radar but there are also other boys on my radar as well.

“I think historically we’ve shown we’re successful in giving players a platform, that might sway a player over the finances on offer. 

“I would like to think as a club we make players better and personally I make players better although it is a collective effort. 

“We’ve shown we’re very good at bringing players in, getting the best out of them and helping them move on in the next step in their career.

“I have spoken to six players, I had someone in on Wednesday. They are players we have an interest in but it’s kind of out with my control, I’m relying on players coming to me for their progression and development rather than the financial package available.”

Martindale, meanwhile, insists he loves this stage of the season as the games tick down towards the split.

The Lions have slipped out of the top half on goal difference to Aberdeen on the back of recent league defeats to Rangers and the Dons, but do have a game in hand.

With seven matches to go before the split, Martindale said: “We’re going into a run of season defining games, it’s the business end of the season. 

“I like this stage. I enjoy the pressure, I think I work better under pressure, every game becomes that bit more meaningful. 

“Match day one you’ve got 37 games to rectify your season but we’re now coming into the business end, there are seven games and there is more pressure. The less points you pick the less chance you have of rectifying that. 

“I think you can see it with every team, I think teams are playing more percentage football, it’s about not losing it and trying to find a way to win it. 

“You could lose the next two or three games then you are saying I need to finish tenth in the Premiership, there is an element of relegation attached to where we are in the league. But then if you win your game in hand you could be sitting fourth.”