Livingston

Hearts' 21-year-old midfielder, Aidan Denholm, is wanted by Livingston, Motherwell and Ross County. (Joel Sked on X), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, Getty Images

Livingston are set to announce the signing of Jeremy Bokila after securing a work permit for the striker.

Manager David Martindale attended a work permit hearing on Thursday in a bid to sign the 36-year-old DR Congo international from Willem II, who were relegated from the Dutch top flight last season.

The positive news comes as the West Lothian side secured a 2-0 Premier Sports Cup win over Brora Rangers, and Martindale is focused on getting further options for his squad.

"We got the work permit for a number nine to give us options up top," Martindale said in a club video.

"Going into the Premiership, you need offensive options, that's where games are won and lost.

"We are looking at bringing a left-back in, we are looking at bringing an eight in, and we have a nine in the building. It will be announced soon."

Image source, SNS

Midfielder Reece McAlear has left Livingston to join Championship side St Johnstone for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old made 37 appearances for Livingston and scored four goals in their Championship promotion campaign after moving from Tranmere Rovers last summer.

McAlear, who has penned a two-year deal, becomes St Johnstone's second signing of the day after former Hibs midfielder Stephen Mallan.

"I'm a player who likes to get on the ball and dominate the ball. I know the league very well and hopefully that can benefit the team," said McAlear.

"It's a chance for me to play more football and I really am excited to get going."

Image source, SNS

Versatile left-sided attacker Cristian Montano has signed a new two-year contract as Livingston prepare for their Premiership return.

Colombian Montano, 33, has made 119 appearances for David Martindale's side and has 11 goals to his name.

He was a bright light during Livingston's last season in the top flight two campaigns ago after joining in 2021 from Port Vale.

Image source, SNS

David Martindale believes Livingston were "unlucky" to lose 1-0 away to Kilmarnock on Wednesday, but was heartened by the level of his side's performance.

Livingston had chance after chance in Ayrshire, but were unable to convert and were made to rue a lapse of concentration at the back as Mo Sylla put through his own net following a miscued punch by goalkeeper Jerome Prior.

"There were a lot of positives," Martindale told BBC Scotland. "We were unlucky to come away with nothing. We created the better chances.

"We controlled large parts of the game. We're not used to losing games of football, so it's important we put the performance in front of the result. We got into some great areas, but that wee bit of calmness was all that was missing."

Martindale will attend a work permit hearing on Thursday in a bid to sign 36-year-old DR Congo international striker Jeremy Bokila from Willem II, who were relegated from the Dutch top flight last season.

"I'm pretty confident it will get passed, he is coming from a real top level," he said.

"And then there's two younger ones who I'm speaking to their parent clubs about. Whether that's going to be loans or permanent deals…

"If I can get those three players in the building this week or early next week, I'll be over the moon with what we've got, although we would need to trim the squad a bit."

Image source, SNS

Livingston are closing in on a forward signing, providing they get a "positive result" from a work permit panel on Thursday, says manager David Martindale.

Martindale told BBC Scotland the attacking player spent time with his side during their pre-season camp in the Netherlands and "showed up really well".

The Livingston boss also revealed the club are in talks about another addition, adding: "We're also speaking to another club about a potential loan/permanent and there are one or two to move on from us.

"If the window shut today, I would be fairly happy. But if we can add one or two more and balance the books with one or two going the other way, that'll be great."

Image source, SNS

Livingston striker Robbie Muirhead has signed a contract extension running until 2027, the Scottish Premiership club have confirmed.

The 29-year-old was integral to the West Lothian side's promotion last term, scoring 19 goals and providing nine assists across 48 appearances.

The forward finished the season as Livingston's top goalscorer and won the club's players' player of the year.

Muirhead has already opened his account this campaign, netting the opener in Saturday's 2-1 League Cup group win over East Fife.

Image source, SNS

Jamie Brandon is prepared for a tough test in "quite a quick turnaround" as he prepares to face his old club when Kilmarnock welcome Livingston to Rugby Park on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old left the West Lothian side after captaining the team to top-flight promotion last term.

Now the right-back is preparing for a "strange" fixture against his old club in the Scottish League Cup group stage.

"It will be enjoyable obviously. I know everyone there very well and know how they like to work," said Brandon.

"It will be a tough test and they're a competitive team so it's one I'm looking forward to. With the draw and then the first league game as well - nice and quick playing against them.

"I do find it a little bit strange. Obviously I was there for three years and I only just left not long ago and you're back playing against them.

"So it's quite a quick turnaround but it's one I'm looking forward to and I want to showcase what us at Kilmarnock can do against them."

The defender became Stuart Kettlewell's first signing after three seasons at Livingston.

Brandon reflected on his time with his former team but insists he is hopeful for more success at his new club.

"It was a time I really enjoyed and I think particularly last season, it was a successful year and probably where I played my best football in my career, so I look back with fond memories," he added.

Meanwhile, Kilmarnock have announced a co-operation agreement with Annan Athletic.

Zander Craik, Josh Gilmour and Duncan Barlow will head to Galabank as part of the agreement, which focuses on boosting opportunities for young Scottish players.

The Rugby Park club say "this is a flexible loan agreement that allows players to move between the sides" during the campaign.

Image source, SNS

David Martindale thinks Livingston are "a little bit undercooked" going into their second Premier Sports Cup group game against fellow Premiership side Kilmarnock on Wednesday.

Livi kicked off their campaign with a narrow win over League 1 East Fife and now face Killie - who defeated Brora Rangers on Saturday - who they also open their league season against on Saturday, 2 August.

Martindale believes Wednesday's game is going to be "a hell of a lot different" to their meeting next month.

"It's early in the season, so it's one of the ones, if you win it, you'll probably say you can use it as a barometer," the manager said. "If you don't, you can't.

"I think we're a wee bit undercooked going into it.

"I think this game is going to be a hell of a lot different from what the first league game is going to be.

"So I think both teams will be a wee bit cagey, sussing each other out, but come the first league game, I think it'll be a totally different game that you see from both teams."

Image source, SNS

Goalkeeper Jerome Prior has signed a new three-year deal with Livingston which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2028.

The 29-year-old joined David Martindale's side from Pau FC last summer and went on to make 44 appearances last term and kept 22 clean sheets - the highest of any Livingston goalkeeper in a single season.

Prior played a pivotal role in a campaign that saw Livi concede the second-fewest goals across the SPFL and secure an immediate return to the top flight thanks to their play-off win over Ross County.

Livingston goalkeeper Jerome Prior is close to agreeing a new three-year contract with the club after two six-figure bids from Latvian champions RFS were rejected for the 29-year-old last month. (Sky Sports), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Livingston have signed French central defender Brooklyn Kabongolo on a two-year deal from National League South side, Aveley.

An Ipswich Town academy product, Kabongolo, 22, was with Livingston on the pre-season trip to the Netherlands and featured in the win against Alloa Athletic.

Kabongolo, who scored three goals in 34 league games last season will provide competition to veteran defenders Ryan McGowan and Danny Wilson in David Martindale's side.

Image source, SNS

A Robbie Muirhead free-kick earned Livingston a 1-1 draw against Belgian side Kortrijk at their training camp in the Netherlands.

It follows Thursday's 3-1 victory over Greek outfit Aris, when the goals came from Daniel Finlayson, Graham Carey and Andy Winter.

David Martindale's team open their season away to East Fife next Saturday in the Premier Sports Cup.

Livingston manager David Martindale is pleased with his transfer business but still wants to add another striker before the close of the window. (Daily Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

David Martindale's "infectiousness" played a sizeable part in Shane Blaney signing for Livingston, the former Motherwell man says.

Defender Blaney, 26, made 54 appearances for the Steelmen before switching to Livi last month after Martindale called.

"I could feel his passion for the place, so I wanted to get it done quickly," he told club media.

"It's infectious when he speaks to you like the way he speaks about the club so I'm looking forward to getting going now and getting back playing games.

"I'll give everything, hopefully there's a bit of quality in there, with a few rockets, too."

Graham Carey hopes he "gets a home cheer rather than a heartbreak" with future fine finishers after he scored a superb goal against Livingston for his previous club St Johnstone.

The magic midfielder netted a belter to knock David Martindale's side out of the Scottish Cup at the quarter-final stage back in March, but has since joined the West Lothian club.

Carey, 36, hopes there are more "top corner rakers" to come after a little delay to the start of his Livi life.

"My flight was cancelled so I was a bit late coming back," he told club media.

"It wasn't ideal, but no, it was great to come in and meet all the lads.

"I know a few of them and played against a lot of them as well. So, just excited to get started."

Carey added the move had "been in the pipeline" since the end of the season.

"It was pretty much straight after the season finished," Carey added.

"I spoke to the gaffer and I liked his enthusiasm about the way he wants to play the game and just his mindset.

"He doesn't really bother about the opposition. He just wants to do his own thing and play his own way.

"I think the way he wants to play kind of suits my style as well. So, hopefully, it can be a good season.

"And, hopefully, I can score a few goals and get a home cheer rather than a heartbreak."

Image source, SNS

Cammy Kerr is at Livingston "to prove people wrong" while fellow summer signing Connor McLennan wants to "excite fans" as both look forward to a Scottish Premiership return.

The pair spent last season in the second tier, with defender Kerr at Queen's Park and winger McLennan at Ayr United, but they have top-flight experience.

Former Dundee full-back Kerr, 29, wants to show he can still compete at the highest level in Scotland.

"I want to play as much as I can and help this team not only stay in the division, but push forward," he told club media.

"I have personal goals I want to aim at, but I want to prove people wrong and show I can definitely play in the top league."

Ex-Aberdeen man McLennan, 25, is equally keen to strut his stuff again in the top flight.

"I hope to excite the fans," he added. "I will use my pace to try and take defenders on and chip in with goals and assists when I can."

Image source, SNS

Zak Rudden says Livingston should "thrive" off their underdog status as the promoted side prepare for their Scottish Premiership return.

David Martindale's men returned to the top flight after a season away with a convincing play-off final win over Ross County.

Rudden has been recruited from Championship side Queen's Park as Martindale revamps his squad and the striker acknowledges his new club will be among the favourites to go straight back down.

"You've got to thrive off that," the 25-year-old said. "I've got another shot at the Premiership for myself and there is a good group of lads, so hopefully we can do well.

"It's been a long summer for me, so I'm delighted to be here and I'm ready to get started.

"I liked everything about [Martindale] and everything he stood for. The club's going in the right direction."

Ross County are in talks to sign 19-year-old Aberdeen midfielder Adam Emslie, who spent last season on loan to Cove Rangers. (Sky Sports), external

Adam Emslie is set to knock back the chance to remain in the Scottish Premiership with promoted Livingston, having also had interest from St Johnstone, with the Aberdeen midfielder preferring a move to Ross County on a two-year contract in a transfer that includes a number of add-ons and future incentives. (Daily Record), external

Adam Emslie is wanted on a permanent transfer by Ross County, but they face competition from a host of clubs and the winger could yet remain with Aberdeen. (Press & Journal), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.