Livingston manager Gary Bollan sacked by club

Scottish First Division side Livingston have sacked their manager Gary Bollan.

Bollan, who led Livi to two successive promotions after becoming boss in 2009, leaves the club immediately along with assistant Scott Paterson.

Head of youth development Brian Welsh will assume first-team duties on an interim basis.

"It's very hurtful for what we've done. I'm extremely angry at how we've been treated," Bollan told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

"It's come as a massive blow and I'm shell-shocked to say the least.

"We're sitting mid-table. The last three games we've had have been difficult ones; Ross County, Dundee, Falkirk."

Bollan said there had been no indication that his sacking was imminent and was called "out of the blue" on Sunday morning to attend a meeting with club directors.

"We were told that the reason for the sacking was not having young kids in the first team," said Bollan.

"They see the future as having kids, the under-19 squad playing in the first team with a view to selling players on and continuing that conveyor belt.

"If you look through the first team, there's five or six players who have come through the ranks at Livingston.

"Mixed with experience, we thought we had a good blend but others thought otherwise and myself and Scott have now suffered for that even although we felt we were doing a good job and have done a good job for the past two-and-a-half years."

Livingston, currently sixth in the table, are next in action at home to Partick Thistle on Saturday.

"The board of directors would like to place on record its appreciation for Gary and Scott's contribution to the club," said a club spokesperson.

"Both have given good service to Livingston and are departing with our best wishes for the future.

"Although initial success has been achieved on the field, it has become clear to the board more recently that a change of management is required to deliver our longstanding vision for the club's football operations.

"Brian Welsh will assume responsibility for first team matters for an interim period whilst a suitable candidate for the manager's position is identified."