Livingston

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Falkirk welcome back Leon McCann and have added new signing Ryan Edwards to their squad but Ross McIver drops out with an ankle injury to join Lewis Neilson (ankle), Coll Donaldson (abdomen), Tom Lang (foot) and Aidan Nesbitt (foot) on the sidelines.

Livingston have Ryan McGowan back in training but are still without Shane Blaney (hamstring), Adam Montgomery (calf), Connor McLennan (concussion), Cammy Kerr (ankle) and Aidan Denholm (hamstring).

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Livingston manager David Martindale believes Falkirk's form shows how strong the Championship was last season and he feels his own team are also backing up that assertion.

Falkirk will be two points off Celtic in third place in the Premiership if they beat Livingston on Saturday, after winning three of their previous four games.

The Bairns pipped Livi to the Championship title last season and Martindale's side have also proved themselves to be highly competitive in the vast majority of games this season, with the concession of four last-minute winners consigning them to bottom place.

Martindale said: "They've always got goals in them, Falkirk. They're a good attacking team and they've kept that even when they've changed the players within the group.

"For me, in certain games where we've got to be a wee bit more clinical is at the top end of the park.

"Falkirk have probably been that wee bit more clinical at the top end of the park.

"If you wanted to strip every game back, they played Aberdeen for 50 minutes with 10 men. So there's different reasons. But they're up there on merit.

"I was a big advocate of it last year, how strong the top end of the Championship was.

"And I think we've shown that. Because even though we may be sitting at the bottom of the table just now, if you went around our opponents, I don't think they would actually say they would have thought Livingston were bottom of the league based on the performances."

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Livingston defender Shane Blaney faces three months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury - and some "careful" handling after that.

The 26-year-old, who joined Livi from Motherwell in the summer, has missed the past two matches after being forced off in the 4-0 defeat by Hibs.

Manager David Martindale said: "We had the option of surgery or trying to let it heal naturally with rehab.

"We've chosen with Shane to go down the rehab path. The timescales are very similar, so Shane's going to probably be another 12 weeks.

"It's hard, he missed pre-season on the back of coming into us a wee bit injured from Motherwell with his knee, and then he's come in and not been able to find any consistency in terms of training time or game time.

"It's difficult with the intensity and the physicality of the Scottish Premiership. It's so quick, and it's really, really hard when you've not done a proper pre-season, and that's probably where Shane is.

"So we need to look at that as a group, when Shane is available to return to training, whether we delay that to give him the best chance possible of coming back and staying fit.

"It would be great to have him involved this season, of course it would, but I think we've got to play this one a wee bit careful."

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• Falkirk last hosted Livingston in the top flight on the final day of the 2005-06 season, winning 1-0 courtesy of Daniel McBreen's goal.

• Livingston have lost four of their past six Premiership away games against newly-promoted opponents (W2), including both of their last two: 2-0 v Kilmarnock in May 2023 and 1-0 v Dundee in November 2023.

• Falkirk have won three of their past four league games (L1), with no side winning more matches than the Bairns in the Premiership since the October international break (3, level with Hearts). At home, Falkirk are looking to win three successive games in the top flight for the first time since December 2007.

• Livingston have just seven points in 11 league games this season (W1 D4 L6), while a defeat here would make this the poorest start by any side after 12 matches of a Premiership campaign since 2021-22, when Ross County managed just six points in their opening 12.

• Falkirk have had 11 different goalscorers in the league this season (excluding own goals), more than any side. Only Aberdeen (5) have had fewer than Livingston (6).

Livingston manager David Martindale has been booked to appear on BBC Scotland's "Debate Night" politics show on Wednesday evening. (Scottish Sun), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Stuart Barrie
Fan writer

A 2-2 draw against the lauded Hibs may not immediately sound that important a result, but I reckon this hard-earned draw could turn around our season.

Let's be honest, the Easter Road team had pumped us this season already. They are a good outfit and will dish out similar to bigger teams than Livi.

However, the way we clawed our way back into the game last weekend should be rocket fuel to our stuttering season.

The team, the staff, the manager and yes, the fans, all played a part in this result.

This match was also our regular hard-luck story turned on its head. The late goal this time was scored by us and was oh so sweet. From going behind twice, we played some first-class football and showed brilliant tenacity.

The players efforts' fuelled the fans and that in turn gave those on the pitch extra energy.

There's been a wee bit of negativity recently so this atmosphere was a tonic to everyone.

It has to be said the referee played a part too. He was rotten and that only seemed to galvanise the fans, giving us a cause to get behind, and again that fed on to the pitch.

It may have been a draw but it feels like a 2-2 win to me.

Watch as Sportscene pundit Neil McCann talks through Jeremy Bokila's first Livingston equaliser against Hibs in Saturday's 2-2 draw.

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Watch the highlights of Livingston 2-2 Hibernian by clicking here.

We asked for your views on Livingston's 2-2 draw against Hibs.

Here's what some of you said:

Del: Great to see what we are capable of, especially concentrating and fighting to the end. Build momentum.

Fraser: A well-earned point. We showed real intent and finally got a point for our efforts. You can see we're trying to play more positively in the Premiership this season, even if late goals have cost us.

Hopefully David Martindale sticks with this starting XI for the next few games. They've got quality, and a consistent run together could help them gel and build the understanding we've been missing.

Malcolm: We fought to the end, which was really good to see, and the team had a hunger I haven't seen for ages. I agree with Martindale - it felt like we were playing against the referee as well as Hibs. Bottom line though, I'm happy with the result and hopefully we can use it as a spring board for future games.

Malky: Livi salvaged an earned draw against Hibs, but a lot of supporters are sadly feeling the same with hot and cold displays. Time for a new man at the helm needed.

Livingston scored a stoppage-time penalty to deny Hibernian victory in an absorbing contest and move the Scottish Premiership's bottom side to within two points of Dundee.

Read the match report here.

Have your say on Livingston's performance here.

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Livingston manager David Martindale: "It was a good game for the neutral, if not the two managers. It felt like we were playing the referee at times, it felt like 'wee club' syndrome again.

"The players are pressing, they're hungry, they want to win games of football. We just need to manage games better."

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Livingston are still without Shane Blaney, Adam Montgomery (calf), Connor McLennan (concussion), Cammy Kerr (ankle), Ryan McGowan (calf) and Aidan Denholm (hamstring).

Hibernian head coach David Gray has a few players nursing "bumps and bruises" after Wednesday's defeat by Rangers but is hopeful they will all be available.

Warren O'Hora (shoulder) is doubtful while Dylan Levitt (appendix), Rudi Molotnikov (ankle), Joe Newell (groin) and Alasana Manneh (hamstring) are still missing.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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David Gray has warned Hibs not to underestimate struggling Livingston as his side look to reclaim third place on Saturday.

Hibs were leapfrogged by Rangers after losing to the Ibrox side in midweek and now face bottom club Livingston, who they have beaten 2-0 away and 4-0 at home this season.

"Those two results are irrelevant. I think this league shows you that anyway, look how tight it is," said head coach Gray.

"Going to Livingston, what challenges that has, the astroturf is something else that we don't play on every single week, so you need to contend with that. It's certainly not an excuse. The players are ready for it.

"They have been there already this season, so it's not completely new. That's a big thing. Davie [Martindale] will have the team ready to go. They always are. It'll be a tough fixture.

"They'll be looking for a reaction from the last time they played them, we're well aware of that.

"We know the challenges it presents but we see it as an opportunity to end the week with three points.

"If we can do that, we move back into third and that's our only focus going into the game."

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David Martindale is hoping Livingston can capitalise on Hibernian's request to play his side within three days of hosting Rangers.

Saturday's rescheduled Scottish Premiership meeting in West Lothian was initially due to take place on Wednesday, 3 December.

But, with Hibs and Livi facing the prospect of a free weekend due to the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals, the Edinburgh club asked if it could be brought forward in order to ease their busy winter schedule.

Martindale, whose side had no game in midweek while Hibs were losing 1-0 at home to Rangers, was only too willing to oblige.

"Hibs came to us and offered us the schedule, so if you look at the fact Hibs were playing Rangers on Wednesday night, it's a bit of a no-brainer if a team comes to us to play within 48 hours of another game when we've had the benefit of having a Saturday to Saturday," the manager said.

Livingston sit bottom of the table without a win in nine outings and must make the most of any small advantage.

"They've got a big squad," Martindale said of Saturday's fourth-top visitors. "They obviously think they're more than capable of picking points up, albeit they've had a big game on Wednesday night, so the thinking behind it for us was it was a good time to try and play them.

"Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday is not a fixture schedule I like. It's not a game I would have been asking to play if we had a game on the Wednesday night and the opponent never had a game on the Saturday, so we need to try and use that to our advantage."

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• Livingston have won just one and lost five of their past seven league meetings with Hibs (D1), with that sole triumph coming in August 2023 (3-2).

• Hibs have lost just one of their past 10 Scottish Premiership games against newly-promoted sides (W6 D3), a 3-2 defeat at Dundee United in October 2024. They have already beaten Livingston this season, winning 4-0 last month.

• Livingston won their opening home game this season, 3-1 vs Falkirk, but have lost all three since 2-1. Livi last lost more consecutive home matches in the same Scottish Premiership season between December 2005 and March 2006 (run of five).

• Hibs have lost two of their past four Scottish Premiership matches (W2), as many as across their previous 28 league outings (W14 D12) – Hibs last lost back-to-back league games in November 2024.

• Hibs forward Junor Hoilett has scored half of his eight Premiership goals against Livingston (4) and has been directly involved in six goals in just three league appearances against Livi (2 goals, 2 assists for Aberdeen, 2 goals for Hibs). The only player to be involved in more against the same opponent since the Canadian debuted in the competition in February 2024 is Kyogo Furuhashi vs St Johnstone (7).

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Livingston manager David Martindale addressed the media before Saturday's Scottish Premiership meeting with Hibs.

Here are the key points:

• Assistant Brian Rice will take in Hibs' Wednesday fixture at home to Rangers.

• Martindale believes "you pretty much fancy Hibs" in most of the Easter Road side's fixtures this season.

• Not having a midweek game gives Livi "a slight advantage" on Saturday.

• The manager believes "three or four players" at Hibs and "three, four, five, six players" at Hearts are good enough to play for Celtic and Rangers and says the Edinburgh clubs "are really, really strong", making for "an exciting league".

• Martindale feels Livi have suffered from a lack of experienced players in recent times, including injured captain Ryan McGowan, but believes the team are "not a million miles away". Martindale does not expect McGowan back until after the November international break.

• The Livi boss was "probably" surprised by Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers' resignation and does not believe the Premiership title race is over.

• Last Saturday's 2-1 loss to Motherwell had "one big, big moment that's avoidable", with MacAulay Tait penalised for a handball when Livingston led.

• Martindale describes the Premiership as "unforgiving" and Livi's points return as "harsh".

Stuart Barrie
Fan writer

The added-time goal curse strikes again for Livingston.

We could have beaten Motherwell or got at least a draw but it's a familiar story when the clock goes past 90.

We concede a killer goal and it sucks the life out of everyone in the stadium of a Livi persuasion.

The performance was good. We played well against the team pundits were saying are playing their best ever football.

We moved the ball quickly, defended strongly when we needed to and had a good threat.

The defence did have a makeshift feel with a debut, return from injury and full-back in at centre back but they all did their jobs well for 90 minutes. It's the bit after the 90 that is our undoing.

You could feel the manager's frustration in his interviews. The players are performing for him but those fine margins, particularly when that now dreaded board is raised to show how long is being added on, is where we seem to lose it.

As for some fans calling for David Martindale to go for, this is absurd. Plain daft.

We may be bottom but we're playing well. The results will come, we just need to keep doing what we're doing - but do it for at least 95 minutes every game.

Watch Sportscene analysis of the penalty incidents in Motherwell's 2-1 victory at Livingston

Watch highlights from Motherwell's dramatic victory at Livingston in the Scottish Premiership.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Motherwell's late goal at Livingston is the latest sucker-punch in a "soul destroying" run for David Martindale's side, says BBC Scotland pundit Stephen Craigan.

Despite going a goal up in the first half, Livingston were pegged back by Motherwell in the second period before Elijah Just scored the winning goal for the visitors in stoppage time.

The defeat leaves the West Lothian club bottom of the Premiership after 10 games.

"I feel a little bit sorry for them because that's the fourth time this season they've conceded in 90-plus minutes and that can be soul destroying," former Motherwell defender Craigan told BBC Scotland.

"But that's the difference from stepping up from Championship to Premiership. Players are a little bit quicker, they're a little bit stronger. They're a little bit more ruthless, they're better with the ball and technically, they're better.

"You have to make sure you defend well and you try to see games out, and they haven't managed to do it.

"So it'll hurt them for a few days, but they've been here before. They've been in this movie. How do we change it? How do we stop it? They just probably need a win somewhere. Probably a bit like Motherwell, they just needed a win.

"They just needed to try to change the direction or the narrative of not seeing games out or picking up points. Once they do that, then they may grow from it.

"They're still well in the mix. They're not getting cut adrift, but the longer it goes, that negative momentum can affect the players' mentally."