Livingston

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

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David Martindale has been speaking to the media before Livingston host Hibs in the second round of the Premier Sports Cup on Sunday.

Here are the key lines from his press conference:

• Martindale praised new owner Calvin Ford's "impeccable timing" and says his "enthusiasm, passion and desire" brings a "breath of fresh air" for everyone at the club.

• Martindale says he was considering leaving before Ford completed his takeover in May.

• The Livi boss adds: "It never took a lot to light our fires again. Calvin coming in the building rejuvenated all of us, and I think we needed that. It just sparked something inside me. It was a massive weight around my neck that had been lifted."

• Martindale is "actively looking" to sign a midfielder as Reece McAlear joined St Johnstone and new signing Aidan Denholm suffered an injury, but he's looking for a "player that's going to come in and make us better".

• On Hibs: "This is the most consistent they have been since we've come up against them in the Premiership. David's [Gray] a really, really good fit for Hibs."

• He says there's a "real inner belief" that Livi can cause Hibs problems but are under no illusions of how tough the task will be.

• On Tony Bloom's comments on Hearts challenging Celtic and Rangers: "I love that enthusiasm. It would be a foolish man that bets against Bloom. It might come back to bite me, but I think it's refreshing."

• Martindale believes Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen and Dundee United have the "financial muscle" to be challenging at the top of the table.

• Livi need to take advantage of their free week, as Gray's side have their second leg of their Conference League third qualifying round on Thursday, but Martindale would "rather be in Hibs' shoes."

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Livingston have entered into a cooperation agreement with League 1 East Fife.

As part of the agreement, 19-year-old Livingston attacker Sam Culbert will join Dick Campbell's side.

The player partnership comes under a new Scottish FA initiative aimed at increasing opportunities for young Scottish talent.

Players aged 16–21, who are eligible for Scotland, can gain competitive experience at lower-league level while remaining available to their parent team throughout the season. Clubs can form multiple partnerships across the pyramid, but only one per tier.

Stuart Barrie
Fan writer

When the Premiership fixtures came out, it wasn't games against the Old Firm or our Lothian neighbours I searched for. It was the meetings with Falkirk I was most anticipating.

Unfairly they are lauded as torchbearers of the beautiful game against our team of giant, hammer-throwing farmers (familiar and wholly incorrect assertions).

Last season we were fierce promotion rivals and the Championship wasn't decided until the very last game. We both made it to the big league and as the luck of the draw would have it our first home match was against our rivals from Grangemouth.

It's fair to say there has been some 'banter' between both sets of supporters even beyond last season. "You have no fans" is a familiar chant from Falkirk fans, and most others to be fair, and "We have more stands than you" is often the reply.

Perhaps this rivalry has amplified with Livi taking 10 points from 12 against the Bairns last season. We may well have won the league if that draw was converted to a win.

Last Saturday Falkirk turned up in impressive numbers again to the Home of the Set Fare Arena. Once again, they watched their team walk away with no points.

To be fair they were good for spells but we scored another worldy against them and were deserved winners. Different division, same outcome. The three points were even more special against a team and fans that were clearly fizzing.

Man of the match may have been the impressive, evergreen Scott Pitman, but special credit has to go to our media team for their brilliant posts with Livi players on the cover of seminal Oasis album Definitely Maybe (below). Their responses after were brilliant too.

Poking a little bit of fun at your rivals makes a victory all the sweeter. Get Saturday, 8 November in the diary for our trip to Grangemouth. Some might say it will definitely maybe be dynamite.

Image source, Livingston FC

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Samson Lawal: Played out of position and dealt with it magnificently as Livingston took all 3 points against Falkirk.

Lewis Smith: "A brilliant strike" was how Sportscene commentator Jock Brown described it. A curled effort into the top corner, it was a stunning moment of quality from the former Hamilton Academical player. Looks like he is ready to take the Premiership by storm.

Highlights of Livingston 3-1 Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on Livingston's 3-1 win over Falkirk.

Here's what some of you said:

Gillian: Really good worked goals for Livi.

Ollie: What a goal from Lewis Smith and some good defending.

Thomas: A solid win, I hope Livi and David Martindale start to receive praise and recognition for their football style.

Del: Great start for Livi. Focus and effort are needed to make it count.

Craig: A hard-fought but well-earned three points. Macaulay Tait was outstanding and Samson Lawal at right back was a surprise selection but came on in the game. Jeremy Bokila looks as though he will be a useful addition.

Matt: We couldn't have really asked for a better start to the return to the Premiership. Martindale has so far been good to his word that he's abandoned the long ball game of old and kept trying to play possession-based, passing football. It makes for a much more enjoyable Saturday afternoon, if nothing else! The squad looks balanced, technically sound and more than capable of doing well this season. Falkirk were a distant second across the park, and we were very good value for the win. Long may this continue.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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David Martindale wants Livingston "not to just survive" but to "thrive" in the Premiership, according to winger Lewis Smith.

The former Hamilton Accies man scored the second goal in the 3-1 win over Falkirk in yesterday's battle between the two promoted sides, putting Livi - probably briefly - on top of the table.

"For the club, [the aim] is just to finish as high as possible," Smith said. "The gaffer's trying to instil in the mindset not to just survive, to try and thrive in the league.

"We're trying to play good football and I think you've seen that so far in the first two games.

"We've scored a good few goals too, and personally I just want to try and help the team as best I can, score goals and chip in with assists too."

Smith joined Livingston at the start of last season and was a key part of their late push for the Championship title, with Falkirk finally getting over the line on the final weekend.

He took his goal against the Bairns well, curling in an absolute beauty from the edge of the box.

"It was a really good team move, and then the ball came to me on edge of the box and I just cut inside," he said. "It opened up well for me and yeah, thankfully it went in.

"In the first half, especially right at the start of the game, we were weathering a bit of a storm, but we scored the goals at a crucial time, just before half-time. It gave us a real boost going into the second half."

A lot has been made of Livingston's plastic pitch, but the club has upgraded the surface over the summer and Smith sang its praises.

"The new pitch is great," he added. "People have a go at astro pitches, but ours and Falkirk's is top-notch now and it's really good.

"You can tell in the games that have been played this season so far, the ball moves really quickly and I like it because it's easier to run and to pass the ball, so it's good."

Livingston manager David Martindale tells BBC Scotland: "I thought it was a really good professional performance. There was a lot of different aspects to it.

"We had to try and play at times, but the first half there was a swirling wind and it was really difficult to get out our own half. So Falkirk kind of had the majority of the play but we came up with two brilliant goals.

"I thought the first one was a great team goal and the second one was still a good bit of team play there, but it's a great finish from [Lewis Smith].

"When we missed the penalty, I think Falkirk took a wee bit of heart from that.

"I don't really think they put us under pressure in terms of our defensive first box entries. I don't think Jerome [Prior] had a lot to do today.

"But I think when the game came into our final third, we dealt with most of the problems. I think the players have got to take a lot of credit for that."

On Scott Pittman chasing the club's all-time top goalscoring record: "I'm delighted for wee Pats. He's played the most games ever in the Premiership and he's now chasing the top goalscorer in Livingston. Last year was a difficult season for him because I don't think it suited him how we played, playing against a low block.

"But coming up to the Premiership, he looks like a revitalised player."

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Livingston pair Connor McLennan and Cristian Montano are pushing for involvement but Aidan Denholm (hamstring) and Cammy Kerr are out long term.

Sean Mackie returns to the Falkirk squad after recovering from a calf problem. Finn Yeats, Barney Stewart (both foot), Coll Donaldson (pelvis), Jamie Sneddon (hernia) and Tom Lang remain out.

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Livingston winger Lewis Smith feels better equipped for life in the Premiership after being "toughened up" by four years in the lower leagues.

The 25-year-old made 36 appearances in the top flight for Hamilton between August 2018 and May 2021 before they were relegated.

Now he is back in the big time with Livi, having joined David Martindale's side last summer from Accies, and is ready to make an impact.

"It's been a while now, so I'm looking forward to getting back to playing in the Premiership," he said ahead of Livi's first home league game of the season against Falkirk. "Everybody wants to play at the highest level and that's it in this country.

"I definitely feel like I'm better equipped for it now. I think a few years down in the lower leagues, it gives you a bit of experience and toughens you up a wee bit and stuff like that.

"I think I'm a better player all round the game, so hopefully I can make an impact this year.

"On a personal level, just to help the team as best I can and hopefully chip in with goals and assists. I got a few last year, but hopefully I get some more."

Livingston took 10 points from their four meetings with Championship title winners Falkirk last term, and Smith is relishing Saturday's top-flight reunion between the two promoted sides.

"We know what Falkirk are like," he said. "Obviously we played them last year a few times and managed to win, but we know they'll be tough opponents.

"We saw that with them winning the league last year and they got a decent result last week too. They'll be right up for it as well, so it'll be a tough game, but hopefully we can win."

• This will be the first season in which Livingston and Falkirk meet in the top fight since 2005-06 – the Bairns won three of the four league meetings that term (D1).

• This is the first time two newly-promoted sides have faced each other in the Scottish Premiership since Dundee and Hearts in 2021-22. The away side has won three of the past four matches between two newly-promoted clubs in the competition (D1), including Livingston suffering a 3-1 defeat to St Mirren in April 2019.

• Livingston have failed to win their opening home game in each of their past seven Scottish top-fight seasons (D3 L4) since beating Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3-0 to open up the 2004-05 campaign.

• Falkirk and Livingston both drew 2-2 on matchday one. The last promoted team to win either of their opening two fixtures in a Scottish Premiership season were Hearts in 2021-22 (W2).

• Livingston's Scott Pittman will be aiming to score in back-to-back Premiership appearances for the first time since March 2022 (vs Dundee and Dundee United) – the 33-year-old has scored against 10 of the 13 opponents he has faced in the top fight, with the exceptions being Celtic, Rangers and Hearts.

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John McGlynn is excited for Falkirk to play on Livingston's new "proper pitch" on Saturday as he looks to finally get the better of David Martindale's side.

The Bairns failed to beat Livingston in four Championship meetings last season, losing three and drawing the other, but edged a close title race before the West Lothian side joined them in the top flight via the play-offs.

McGlynn doesn't believe there was much to separate the sides and hopes the "fine margins" swing Falkirk's way when they meet on Livi's new artificial surface.

The Bairns boss said: "They got the better of us [last season] obviously. There is no denying that.

"Every game against them had fine margins. I don't expect it to be any different this weekend.

"We need to try and get those margins on our side. There was nothing in the games at all. A wee break there and a decision there, and things could have been different.

"We can't do much worse than we did last year against them. We can only do better there than last season.

"They have a new pitch now. It is going to be a benefit to everyone, Livingston included in that, and it will be nice to play on a proper pitch.

"They are decent, they played well down at Rugby Park [2-2 draw last weekend] and if I am David Martindale at half-time, I am mystified as to how my team are two goals down."

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"It would be stupid" to write off Tony Bloom's hopes of Hearts winning the Scottish Premiership title in the next 10 years, says Livingston manager David Martindale.

The Brighton owner recently completed a deal to take a 29% stake in the Edinburgh club and has since shared his ambition to finish "at least second" in the Scottish top flight this term and achieve top spot within a decade.

Glasgow sides Rangers and Celtic have won every top-tier title between them since Sir Alex Ferguson's triumph with Aberdeen in 1985.

But Martindale has no doubt Bloom is capable of achieving big things with Hearts.

"I think he's given himself a lot of wiggle room by saying 10 years," he said.

"But do I believe that they can achieve that? It would be a stupid man that would bet against it.

"If I was a betting man, I would put my money on Tony Bloom achieving what he said he's wanting to achieve rather than saying he's talking ludicrous.

"I'd definitely put my chips behind him because I think he's shown he can do it."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Livingston came from behind to snatch a point against Kilmarnock in their first game back in the Premiership, and they have one player in my team of the week.

Feels like Scott Pittman has been around forever and has always been such an important player for Livingston as he proved once again with the equaliser against Kilmarnock.

Stuart Barrie
Fan writer

It's almost a cliché now but the day or so before the season kicks off proper it is a bit like Christmas eve.

There's excitement, hope, expectation and wondering about what the surprises may be. The League Cup games have been decent and each week you could see the fitness, team bonding and general play improve but that was only a starter for the big one. The league campaign.

This season I notice we are not universally tipped to be relegated. The pundits have given us a bit of a chance this campaign.

We've thrived on being the underdog that proves a point previously so this is unusual territory. It is slightly concerning actually if we are tipped to stay up – what's going to motivate us to prove everyone wrong? Again.

Maybe the pundits have actually noticed the good football we played last year, the experience and skillset of the manager and the very decent signings we have made. That doesn't always guarantee success of course. That all needs to come together and gel. Against Killie in the season opener it all came together really well.

We'll skip over the mistakes that put us 0-2, accept at this level you get punished for these every time, and focus on the second half fightback. That had everything I like about Davie Martindales' teams. There was effort, endeavour and determination.

Of course, the penalty and sending off changed the game but I am convinced we would have got something anyway from the way we went at Killie. That second half effort showed me this team has the hallmark of a good Livi team who give their all.

This game made me agree with the pundits for once about Livi staying up and we also had very pleasant few hours at the top of the league. Which of course felt like Christmas day!

Watch Sportscene analysis of Scott Pittman's goal and Livingston's performance in their 2-2 draw against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

Watch highlights of Kilmarnock's 2-2 draw against Livingston in the Scottish Premiership.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Adam Montgomery says the resilience Livingston showed in their fightback to earn a point at Kilmarnock will stand them in good stead on their return to the Premiership.

Livi rallied from 2-0 down to level the game late on with a goal from Scott Pittman.

"This squad last year had a lot of resilience," Montgomery told BBC Scotland.

"They went on and got promoted after not winning the league. That shows you what the squad is about and I think that's been shown again."

Montgomery, on-loan from Celtic, says Livi will be different from the physical, defensive side they were during their previous time in the top flight.

"I think we've got plenty of good players that want to play football," the full-back said.

"There's maybe been a brand of Livingston not wanting to play football, defensive, but we do have that part of the game also. We want to really try and play some good football.

"It's been very enjoyable. When I first spoke to the gaffer, he said that he wanted an attacking full-back and thought that I fitted that role perfectly. So I'm really enjoying it."

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

Here's what some of you said:

David: We will surprise some people. A lot of fans of other sides have us finishing 12th. I think, or is it really hope, that we will get a top-six finish. That may very well be sixth, but I would love to see a top-five finish and a chance for Europe.

Ollie: Robbie Muirhead will be key for us this season up top but so will Jerome Prior at the other other end of the pitch along with Danny Wilson and Ryan McGowan but for me Graham Carey will be our surprise package this season, he's very creative.

David: Livingston have a great team. We have some belief and that point will give us more. We may be a small team but we are as proud of our team as any other side in the division. Look at the stats - for an away game it was tremendous.

Kyle: A game Livi should have won, but Killie managed to score two quick goals.

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Livingston boss David Martindale told BBC Scotland: "I'm happy to come out with the point. We were a wee bit unfortunate not to come out with the win, but we're architects of our own downfall going in at 2-0 down.

"That felt a bit harsh, but we've only got ourselves to blame. They were two really poor goals to lose. That was the only two shots on target.

"I spoke to the players about that - that's the difference between the Championship and the Premiership. We'd have gone in at 0-0 in the Championship, gotten away with those mistakes.

"We changed the shape, flipped to a 3-5-2. That gets us the penalty, the red card, the opportunities open up. We changed the shape back to a 4-3-3, brought [Lewis] Smith on, and the overloads were in our favour. That's where we got the second goal from.

"You've got to give Kilmarnock credit for defending the area, they did that really well.

"The players have to take huge credit, they showed real resilience. The subs really helped the game. It was something we had in abundance last year so it's nice to see it transitioning into this year. The character the players showed was exactly what you want as a manager."

Livingston marked their return to the Scottish Premiership by coming back from two goals down to earn a draw against 10-man Kilmarnock.

Let us know your thoughts on the game here.

Read the full match report here.