LIVINGSTON manager Davie Martindale admits he is flattered to have been linked with the Fleetwood Town vacancy, but has made it clear he would only leave the club with the board’s blessing.

The English League One side are believed to be aware of the work that Martindale has done with the West Lothian side.

Martindale led Livingston into the top six and to the League Cup final last season after replacing Gary Holt in November 2020, despite the club having the lowest budget in the Premiership

They came within a minute of repeating that feat this season.

Asked about reports that he is a contender for the Fleetwood job, Martindale insists chairman Robert Wilson and chief executive John Ward will ultimately determine what the future holds for him.

Martindale said: “It has to be the first job I’ve ever been linked with. 

“Is it nice to be recognised? Probably. A wee bit flattering? Probably. 

"Sometimes there are a lot of jobs and your name is never mentioned and you go under the radar slightly. 

“I think Livingston go under the radar. It does not matter who I am linked with to be honest because the conversation is going to be the same. 

“If Robert or John get a phone call or I get a phone call I’ll go and speak to them. 

“And if Robert and John said to me, ‘look Davie I think it’s a good option for you’, I’ve then got a decision to make. 

“But if Robert and John say, ‘we want you to stay at the football club’, then there is not a conversation to be had because I will be guided by them.”

Martindale, meanwhile, has confirmed that Australian defender Phillip Cancar is one of three players he has tied down on pre-contracts for nexts season.

The 20-year-old centre half has made 12 A-League appearances for Western Sydney Wanderers this season but has recently been frozen out of the team after his employers discovered that he planned to move to Scotland.

Martindale said: “Phillip is one of those pre-contract players but we need GBE (Governing Body Endorsement) for that. 

“Phillip got put to me, I’ve now got contacts all over the world. 

"He’s played in the A-League and I’ve got fantastic references on him. 

“He’s 20-year-old, dual passport Australia/Croatian and he’s come out of Western Sydney’s team because they knew he had signed a pre-contract with Livingston. 

"He’ll come over and I’ve got a pathway in my head for him. 

“I think he’s got a bit of everything, good with both feet, good on the ball, aggressive and quick, everything I look for in a centre half but he’s got that adaptation period as well. 

"It help he’s played at a decent level.”