Livingston defender Ayo Obileye says his first taste of a relegation battle is “a fight on your mental strength”.
It was confirmed by manager David Martindale on Wednesday that Obileye will leave the struggling West Lothian side when his contract expires in the summer, after spending three years at the club.
Reflecting on Livingston’s challenging season which sees them rock-bottom of the cinch Premiership on just 17 points, the defender sees the experience as a huge learning curve.
He said: “It’s a fight on your mental strength and I feel like the boys have got that. It can take its toll on some people.
“You go through everything as a footballer, and I think this is my time now to go through this and see how I deal with it. I’m coping with it quite well, I try and give everything and if it doesn't happen, it doesn’t happen.
READ MORE: David Martindale confirms three players departing Livingston
“At least I will know myself that I tried. I don’t want to be in a situation where I’m not trying or not giving my best. Every day I do what I can.
“The hurdles and barriers we’ve had to face, the storm has come, and it’s taught me a lot. Never get too high, never get too low in these situations. It’s taught me that no matter what is happening you keep pushing through and stay mentally strong. I feel like it has taught me a lot of lessons.”
Martindale’s men are ten points behind Ross County and face Aberdeen today at the Toni Macaroni Arena, where they have won just twice this campaign.
With 21 points still to play for going into the final seven games of the season, Obileye says the team is determined to keep fighting to avoid the drop.
“It’s not like it hasn’t been done. It is going to be difficult; everyone is in the mindset that it’s not done until it’s done. If we can pick up points in the next two games, we’ve got a good chance of pushing through. It starts at the weekend.”
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