Livingston

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  1. 'Best display this season' published at 17:26 28 April 2024

    Your views

    We asked for your thoughts after Livingston's 2-0 victory over Ross County, here's a taste of what you had to say.

    Del: Great performance.

    Jennifer: Best display this season, everyone contributed, everyone was solid. We actually came out the stadium feeling proud of them.

  2. Livingston 2-0 Ross County: Key statspublished at 08:07 28 April 2024

    Ross County's Eamon n Brophy and Livingston's Mo Sangare in action Image source, SNS
    • Bruce Anderson has scored six goals this season (one in this game), more than any other Livingston player in the Scottish Premiership.

    • Ross County have failed to score in 17 of their 34 games, no team has failed to do so more often in the Premiership this season.

    • Livingston have beaten Ross County for the first time in the Premiership since 18 March 2023, a run of four games without a win.

  3. 'The players give us everything' - Martindalepublished at 18:46 27 April 2024

    Media caption,

    David Martindale has hailed his Livingston players' mentality despite their league position after their 2-0 win over Ross County.

  4. Livingston 2-0 Ross County: Manager reactionpublished at 17:45 27 April 2024

    Livingston manager David Martindale: "To a man, the players that started the game, the players that went on the park did themselves proud. The back four defended the box incredibly well. That was probably the difference in the game.

    "As long as I'm at this club, we'll never not fight. We'll always fight. I know the probability of staying in the Premiership is very slim but it's not going to change by motivation, my passion, my emotions coming into work on Monday morning. I'm coming into work on Monday trying to win that game on Saturday and then we'll see where it takes us."

  5. Livingston 2-0 Ross County: Have your saypublished at 17:11 27 April 2024

    Have Your Say

    Were you at Livingston's 2-0 in over Ross County or following the match from home? Either way, we want your views on the game – have your say here.

  6. Livingston 2-0 Ross County: Analysispublished at 17:09 27 April 2024

    Livingston's top-flight status remains under severe threat but this performance was much more reminiscent of the side that was promoted in 2018 and proceeded to hold their own under Gary Holt and Martindale.

    Their defence was resolute, their forwards a nuisance to the opposition, and their overall battling qualities ensured just a fourth league victory of the campaign.

    In contrast, County looked very unlike the team that beat Rangers for the first time in their history just 13 days previously. Gone was the attacking intent and determination that served them so well that day.

    The silver lining for interim boss Don Cowie is that St Johnstone, the most likely rival in the race to avoid the relegation play-off place, also lost.

  7. Livingston 2-0 Ross County: Player of the matchpublished at 17:08 27 April 2024

    Livingston goalkeeper Shamal George made good saves at key stages to secure a clean sheet.

    Livingston's Shamal George makes a save to deny Ross County's Josh SimsImage source, SNS
  8. Livingston v Ross County: Changespublished at 14:01 27 April 2024

    Just one change for Livingston from the team that lost 4-2 at Hearts two weeks ago. Bruce Anderson replaces the injured Tete Yengi in attack.

    Ross County are unchanged from the side that defeated Rangers 3-2 in Dingwall 13 days ago.

    Livingston forward Bruce AndersonImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Bruce Anderson returns for Livingston

  9. Livingston v Ross County: Line-upspublished at 13:54 27 April 2024

    Livingston: George, Brandon, Devlin, Nottingham, Obileye, Sean Kelly, Holt, Stephen Kelly, Pittman, MacKay, Anderson.

    Substitutes: Hamilton, Carson, Bradley, Sangare, Guthrie, Ledingham, Sharp.

    Ross County: Laidlaw, Randall, Baldwin, Leak, Efete, Loturi, Harmon, King, Sims, Dhanda, Murray.

    Substitutes: Ross, Brown, Henderson, Khela, Jenks, White, Brophy, Ayina, Reid.

  10. Livingston v Ross County: Team newspublished at 19:24 26 April 2024

    Livingston v Ross CountyImage source, SNS

    Tete Yengi is suspended for Livingston while Steven Bradley, Shaun Donnellan, Kurtis Guthrie, Cristian Montano, Joel Nouble, James Penrice and Andrew Shinnie are injured.

    Josh Reid is in contention to return for Ross County but the Staggies will be without Max Sheaf for the rest of the season while Scott Allardice, Ross Callachan, Will Nightingale and Dylan Smith remain unavailable.

  11. Premiership manager in spotlight: David Martindale published at 12:14 26 April 2024

    Premiership Picks

    Like the Old Firm's inevitable dominance at the top and Hearts' grip on third place, Livingston have long seemed destined for the drop.

    Time will finally run out for David Martindale's side on Saturday if they fall to a fourth consecutive home defeat.

    As the visitors are second-bottom Ross County, who have not won away from home in 15 games since September, a win would reduce the gap to nine points.

    However, even that would seem an insurmountable mountain to climb in the final four games considering Livingston have not won in eight outings, losing six of them, while County have only lost three of their latest eight.

    If it was anyone else but Martindale, there would be major question marks about the manager's future.

    However, there have been no hints that Livingston's new owners are contemplating an end to the 49-year-old's 10-year association with the club, or his near four years in charge of the first team.

    Martindale, who had long warned that the West Lothian club's ability to punch above their financial weight had a shelf life, revealed this week he had given his players a mental health break from the "psychological" strain of battling relegation.

    It no doubt also gave him time to ponder what he views as a "reset" and "major overhaul" of his squad regardless of which division they find themselves in next season.

    With 14 or 15 players destined to exit in the summer, Martindale will already be planning for life without them - and in the Championship for the first time in six years.

    Read all the weekend's Premiership picks

  12. Nottingham keen to stay at Livi regardless of divisionpublished at 09:23 26 April 2024

    Sean McGill
    BBC Sport Scotland

    Michael Nottingham during a Livingston press conference at the Tony Macaroni Arena, on April 24, 2024, in Livingston, Scotland.Image source, SNS

    Michael Nottingham plans on staying at Livingston next season regardless of which division the club are playing in.

    David Martindale's side will be relegated to the Championship on Saturday if they fail to beat Ross County at home.

    "I expect to be here next season," said 35-year-old defender Nottingham.

    "In my contract I can stay up here and I really enjoy it up here. I'm definitely willing."

    Asked if he would anticipate being at the club beyond the summer even if they are relegated, he added: "100%."

    Nottingham says there's a sense of freedom in knowing Livingston must win at the weekend to keep their "very slim" survival hopes alive.

    "It's been a grind. It's gradually been getting worse over the season. Things just really haven't gone our way," he said.

    "We know it's a massive game and the boys want to give it absolutely everything to make sure we get the win.

    "The chances of us staying in the league for next season are very slim. Nevertheless, there's still a small chance and you just have to believe you can win the next game and see where it takes us.

    "We've got to get the business done this weekend otherwise it's completely over. In that sense it does take the pressure off. We know exactly what we need to do."

  13. Livingston v Ross County: Pick of the statspublished at 14:47 25 April 2024

    Pick of the stats Image source, BBC/SNS
    • Livingston have only lost one of their seven Scottish Premiership home games against Ross County (W4 D2), going down 1-0 in October 2022.

    • After their 3-2 victory in February, Ross County could win successive top-flight meetings with Livingston for the first time, with this the two sides’ 17th such clash.

    • Should Livingston lose, their relegation from the Scottish Premiership will be confirmed; it would be the first time they have been relegated from the top flight since 2005-06.

    • Ross County are winless in 15 away league games (D5 L10), losing their last six in a row; they have never previously lost seven in succession on the road in the top flight.

    • Only Celtic’s Matt O’Riley and Kyogo Furuhashi (six) have combined for more goals than Ross County team-mates Simon Murray and Eamonn Brophy (four) in the Scottish Premiership this season, with Murray assisting Brophy twice in the 3-2 win over Livingston in February. Murray and Yhan Dhanda have also combined for four league goals this term.

  14. Choose your Livi XI for County clashpublished at 18:39 24 April 2024

    Livingston selector

    Livingston host Ross County in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, looking to keep their faint hopes of survival alive.

    Who do you think should start for David Martindale's side?

    Put yourself in the manager's shoes and pick your Livi XI here.

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  15. Martindale hoping for 'reset' after mental health breakpublished at 11:25 24 April 2024

    Sean McGill
    BBC Sport Scotland

    David Martindale Image source, SNS

    David Martindale says he's trying to protect the mental health of his Livingston squad during their gruelling Premiership season.

    The West Lothian side must beat 11th-placed Ross County on Saturday to have any realistic chance of being in the top flight next term.

    After a weekend with the Scottish Cup semi-finals taking pace, Martindale hopes his squad are returning refreshed following a break to spend time with family.

    "It was more about giving the players and staff time off," he said. "We shut the club down basically, giving everyone a reset. It's been a challenging period, it's been tough.

    "We try to take a bit of pressure off the players and staff. It's a difficult environment when you're losing games and you're at the bottom of the league.

    "You've got to look at the psychology and the mental health of that and give people a wee bit of a break.

    "I'm in the changing room quite a bit, and the one thing I'll give you with this squad of players is they've never lost their positivity. After games is normal, but on a Monday morning, we come back ready to go.

    "Losing games and being bottom of the league isn't good [mentally] in any sport. Then you throw in social media, which is a cesspit when you're not winning games of football.

    "We try and speak about that with the players, try and make then understand social media isn't always the best place to be. It's easy for people to go on and start pointing fingers."

  16. Martindale on County clash, mental health and squad overhaul published at 10:54 24 April 2024

    Sean McGill
    BBC Sport Scotland

    David Martindale Image source, SNS

    Livingston manager David Martindale has been facing the media ahead of his side's win-or-bust meeting with Ross County on Saturday.

    Here are the key points:

    • Insists every game has been a big game in their difficult season. They will focus on themselves rather than the Dingwall side and do "everything they can" to win.

    • Expects a "major overhaul" of the squad regardless of what division they play in next term. Adds there are 14 or 15 players he believes will leave in the summer, while he has 12 or 13 he can rely on and hopes to build on.

    • Gave the players time off last week to recover from the "psychological" strain of battling at the bottom.

    • Has to take into consideration how their season has affected his players' mental health, advising them to come off the "cesspit" of social media to avoid having the finger pointed at them.

    • "Uncoachable errors" and "individual mistakes" are a big reason why Livingston are where they are, saying it's important the squad sticks together and there's no culture of blame. Says he has made errors too that maybe aren't as obvious as a stray pass or a missed chance.

    • Steven Bradley is injured, while Tete Yengi is suspended following a second yellow after he'd been substituted at Tynecastle. Doesn't anticipate fresh bodies being named on the bench, which only had four outfielders a fortnight ago.

  17. Livi lose Reserve Cup finalpublished at 09:26 24 April 2024

    General view of AlmondvaleImage source, SNS

    Livingston lost the Reserve Cup final 2-1 to Dunfermline at Almondvale on Tuesday.

    Rudi Bryce put Livi in front, but goals either side of half-time from Jake Sutherland and Taylor Sutherland saw Dunfermline crowned champions.

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  18. 'Too many fantasists in squad' published at 17:31 19 April 2024

    Your Views

    We asked you which of Livingston's out-of-contract players you'd been keen to keep beyond the summer.

    Here's a taste of what you had to say:

    Del: Time to find out who rates themselves beyond their performances this season or who's going to be honest. Too many fantasists in the squad.

    Anon: If we can keep hold of Jamie Brandon, Jason Holt, Andrew Shinnie and Tete Yengi we'll be doing well, The rest can go, though can't see any one of them wanting to stay if David Martindale is still there.

    Malky: Livi need a mass clearout as it's inevitable we're going down. Anderson, Holt and Shamal George are the three players I'd try and keep to build around.

  19. Who would you like to keep at Livingston? published at 16:09 18 April 2024

    Have Your Say

    With several players out of contract in the summer, clubs up and down the country are considering who they want to be involved next season.

    Livingston's slim chances of staying in the Premiership mean an overhaul is likely, with Joel Nouble, Ayo Obileye and Bruce Anderson all earmarked for departure.

    Other names set to leave include Michael Nottingham, Andrew Shinnie, Mikey Devlin, Jack Hamilton, Kurtis Guthrie, Christian Montano and Sean Kelly.

    Who would you like to keep, and who would you be happy to wave goodbye to?

    Let us know.

  20. County first up as Livi's post-split fixtures revealedpublished at 16:15 16 April 2024

    Livingston begin their post-split fixtures with a must-win home game against second-bottom Ross County on Saturday, 27 April.

    Defeat would relegate David Martindale's side, who are currently 12 points adrift at the bottom.

    Livi complete the campaign at home to Hibs on 19 May.

    Livingston's post-split fixtures (All times BST):

    • Ross County (H) Saturday, 27 April 15:00

    • Motherwell (A) Saturday, 4 May 15:00

    • St Johnstone (H) Saturday, 11 May 15:00

    • Aberdeen (A) Wednesday, 15 May 19:45

    • Hibs (H) Sunday, 19 May 15:00

    Ross County v LivingstonImage source, SNS
  21. 'Let the shackles off... we know it's over' published at 11:54 16 April 2024

    Stuart Barrie
    Fan writer

    Livingston fan's voice

    Livingston's defeat at Tynecastle pretty much sums up our season. Played well in parts, played okay in parts, played awful in parts, and then shot ourselves in the foot with individual errors.

    The first 20 minutes we were excellent and even the most pessimistic Livi fan was daring to dream of a great escape as we soared into a 0-2 lead.

    Then, reality struck when Hearts woke up and smashed four past us. Same old story for the season.

    Only Livi would get a player sent off when Tete Yengi was subbed and kicked a water bottle into his own dugout. That’s daft from the player, but even dafter officiating too. He’s been our main goal threat, so we’ll miss big Tete.

    We now need to win all five remaining games to have the unlikeliest of escapes. To put that into perspective, we have won three all season, so it’s not going to happen.

    Mathematically we can do it, but everyone knows it’s over.

    Its been a long, bleak season with little to cheer about, so rather than trying eek out some points, I say throw caution to the wind and go for it. Give the fans the entertainment we have sorely missed this season.

    I’d rather we lost 4-3 than defended all game and hoped for a breakaway or set-piece goal.

    I’d love for the manager to let the shackles off, release the pressure and give the support something to cheer before the inquests and budget cuts that the inevitable drop to the Championship will bring.