Stuart Kettlewell considers Livingston as one of the toughest draws possible in the early stages of the League Cup as he prepares to pit his wits against David Martindale again.
Kilmarnock host the newly promoted side in Ayrshire on Wednesday in their second group stage following Saturday’s 2-0 win at Brora Rangers.
Former Motherwell boss Kettlewell, who replaced Derek McInnes in the Rugby Park dugout over the summer break, is familiar with Martindale’s sides from their last spell in the top-flight and he also kept a keen eye on them during their Championship campaign last season.
When asked if it was one of the toughest tasks they could have been handed at this stage of the competition, he said: “I think so, obviously I’ve come up against Livingston many, many times over the years, and been up against Davie’s teams many times.
“They probably look a wee bit different from what they did the last time they were in the Premiership.
“I watched a lot of them last season in the Championship, there is a lot of flexibility about them in the way they play and what they do.
“I always felt if it was a scrappy game they could take part in that, with a bit of physicality about them, but if it was a football match then they had quality as well, and I think they are trying to utilise the quality they have in their squad as well.
“They have done terrifically well to bounce back this season, and I think if you look at the draw in the groups, it’s certainly one of the tougher ties you can get as a Premiership team.”
Livingston recorded a 2-1 away win over East Fife in their first competitive game of the season at the weekend.
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