David Martindale sees no problem with Livingston allocating away supporters the majority of their stadium - despite recent trouble during Celtic's visit to the Toni Macaroni Arena.
The Lions released a strong statement highlighting their discontent at Celtic's ultra group, The Green Brigade, failing to listen to protocol after they unfurled a banner before last Sundays's Scottish Premiership meeting between the side's.
Brendan Rodgers' visitors were handed a bumper eight thousand allocation for the clash, which saw them pack out the majority of Livingston's 9,713 capacity stadium.
Livingston have come in for heavy criticism for the move, but manager Martindale believes travelling fans make up 33 per cent of their annual turnover, and claimed he’d rather see the stands packed and a good atmosphere rather than them lying empty.
He said: "Would I rather have a stadium full of eight thousand Old Firm fans in it? Yep, all day long. It brings its own problems but I think it brings a great atmosphere to that game of football.
READ MORE: Livingston blast Green Brigade over 'unacceptable' Celtic displays
"I don't mind it if there is eight and a half thousand Celtic, eight and a half thousand Rangers, four thousand Hearts, four thousand Hibs or three thousand Aberdeen.
"The club's blueprint since it has came into the Premier League has probably been based on the business model of away fans.
"Some folk won't like hearing that and will ask why but at the end of the day that makes up for 33 per cent of our turnover, in terms of the away allocation.
"If you go into any business and say 'are you alright to lose 33 per cent of your turnover?' I think it answers itself doesn't it?
"Even if I take the finances out of the equation, we are still trying to sell those three stands, because for me, that is what football is."
Martindale also revealed goalkeeper Michael McGovern has returned to Heart of Midlothian after a loan agreement came to an end.
McGovern, 39, joined Livingston in January amidst a period where first team stoppers, Shamal George and Jack Hamilton, were both troubled by injury.
READ MORE: Ally McCoist reveals he won't attend Rangers vs Celtic
The former Northern Ireland internationalist made five appearances for the West Lothian club - and speaking about veteran's departure Martindale praised McGovern's help in setting high standards.
He recalled: “Michael came in at a time when we were really struggling with no available first-team goalkeepers due to injuries picked up by both Shamal and Jack.
“With both keepers now back to full fitness and available for selection again, Michael has returned to Hearts for the remainder of the season.
“I want to thank Michael for his time at Livingston and his professionalism whilst here. Seeing him working on a daily basis to the standards he sets made it very evident as to why he has had such a prolonged career at the top level.”
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