Livingston manager David Martindale admitted he has his sights set on Europe after his side’s goalless draw with third-placed Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Premiership.

Seven points continue to separate the two sides in third and fourth, but Livingston have a game in hand.

New Hearts signings Yutaro Oda and Garang Kuol both spurned chances for the visitors.

And Kye Rowles’ spectacular clearance thwarted Livi’s Steven Bradley.

“We’ve always got a collective objective at the start of the year and ours is finishing 10th and staying in the Scottish Premiership,” Martindale told Sportsound.

“As you progress, you know where you are and suddenly it’s turned into top six. Why can’t Livingston get European football? This group is something special.

“It’s definitely one of my objectives – I’d love to manage in European football and I’d love to do that with Livingston.”

Hearts are now unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions, Livingston in six.

Injury and illness meant home manager Robbie Neilson was forced into five changes from the derby-winning side of last weekend and it showed as Hearts struggled to find a spark in the first-half.

Lawrence Shankland planted a header over from close range before Oda should have opened his Hearts account. The captain was the creator this time, clipping a perfect low ball into the box, but Oda somehow could not get a touch to bundle home.

It would be his last action of the game, replaced with Koul, who was to miss a similar sitter. Played through one-on-one by Stephen Humphrys, the Australian on loan from Newcastle United hared towards goal but blasted his shot straight at Shamal George, who reacted superbly to stop the rebound too.

The goalkeeper worked hard to keep the game goalless, denying Humphrys from close range and then from distance, tipping the latter shot around the post acrobatically.

At the other end, Zander Clark almost looked foolish when Bradley got onto a long ball ahead of the goalkeeper, chipping at goal, but Rowles raced back to volley off the line.

Match Report: Andrew Petrie (BBC)

Livingston: George, Devlin ©, Fitzwater, Boyes, Penrice, Omeonga. Sn.Kelly (Guthrie 64), Pittman, Bradley (Montaño 86), St.Kelly (Holt 90), Anderson
Subs not used: Hamilton, Longridge, Obileye, de Lucas, Shinnie, Bahamboula

Heart of Midlothian: Clark, Kingsley, Kio, Shankland ©, Atkinson ▊ (Ginnelly 74), Devlin (Grant 39 ▊), Rowles, Cochrane, Sibbick, Humphrys (Forrest 85), Oda (Kuol 45)
Subs not used: Stewart, McKay, Neilson, Snodgrass

Referee: Alan Muir
HT: 0-0
Att: 6,393

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