Livingston manager David Martindale was proud of his players after coming so close to forcing extra time against Celtic in their Scottish Cup quarter final, saying that Joe Hart’s save from Michael Nottingham with the score locked at 2-2 was the turning point of the game.

Livi had hung in the contest at Celtic Park as goals from Daniel MacKay and the impressive Tete Yengi kept them on level terms until the closing stages of the match.

They might even have moved ahead late on themselves had Hart not produced a good stop from Nottingham’s header, and Martindale believes that was a pivotal moment.

“Disappointed for the players, because they put a lot into the game,” Martindale said.

“Their shape and discipline was good and we took the chances when we had them. So, to have lost the game 4-2 is disappointing.

“I’m not saying we should’ve beaten Celtic, they created the better chances but at 2-2 there’s a big save from Joe Hart, the header from Michael Nottingham. It’s a huge save in the game, which potentially could’ve seen it going to 3-2 for us. It kept Celtic in the game.

“But big players produce big moments in games and that’s why big players are at clubs like Celtic. They then took the next chance. I wasn’t fussed about the fourth goal because we were chasing the game then.

"I felt today coming here was a bit different. They were missing two of their best players and when any team are missing two of their best players at any level, it gives you positivity and a bit of hope.

"Callum McGregor and Cameron Carter-Vickers are two of the outstanding players in the Scottish game. I did always feel we’d have opportunities through the game.

“The players put a lot into the game and I find it hard to be too critical of the players. I’m pretty proud of them today, albeit we’re out of the cup.”

Martindale now hopes that his players will take belief from their performance into the final stretch of the season as they look to claw their way off the bottom of the Premiership table.

“It’s been a painful season and we’re on a torrid run,” he said.

“I don’t need self-belief but I can only hope the players take a wee bit of self-belief, a wee bit of self-confidence.

“I thought they were very good in the game, it would’ve been easy to come here and accept a 3-0 or 4-0 but they didn’t do that. They played on the front foot and managed the game reasonably well.

“But we now look to the Hibs game and hopefully they take some positivity into the game at Easter Road.”