Martindale welcomes 'newest version' of artificial surface

David Martindale says criticism of Livingston's artificial surface has been "unwarranted" but is looking forward to welcoming opponents to a new improved one in the coming season.The West Lothian club's pitch is being upgraded this summer and the Livingston manager points out that it is the "newest version of our surface and Falkirk's", which has received some praise."I know everybody talks about it not being a good surface, but that probably comes from watching and not playing on it," he said of Livingston's pitch.Martindale has lost captain utility man Jamie Brandon to Kilmarnock but brought in four new players - winger Graham Carey from St Johnstone, defender Shane Blaney from Motherwell, plus forwards Connor McLennan and Zak Rudden from Ayr United and Queen's Park respectively.Meanwhile, striker Stevie May has signed permanently after last season's loan from St Johnstone."I thought it was important to get as much Premiership experience in as we can," Martindale told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound. "They are all boys who have played in the Premiership and I'm giving some of them the opportunity to continue to do that but also giving some of them the chance to get back to the Premiership."Martindale admits his side will be slightly "undercooked" when the season starts with the League Cup group sections because they will be "a week to 10 days" later in starting pre-season because of playing in the Premiership Play-off final. "I've been involved in some big games with Livingston previously, but that tops the lot for me," he said of the victory over Ross County."In the manner of going behind, how we won the game, it was just a great way to end the season. I think it was a really good game of football for the neutral, but I think it was really good for Scottish football in terms of the play-offs - it is one of the formats that work."

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