Livingston

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James Penrice "can reach new levels" after a signing a three-year contract with Hearts, according to head coach Steven Naismith.

The 25-year-old left Livingston at the end of last season after the West Lothian club were relegated from the Scottish Premiership, and the left-back now becomes Hearts' first signing of the summer.

It was reported in March that Penrice had agreed a pre-contract deal with the Tynecastle club, along with Motherwell midfielder Blair Spittal and Ross County playmaker Yan Dhanda.

Penrice had been at Livingston since 2021, having had a previous loan spell, and contributed five assists in 31 appearances last season.

"We’re delighted to get James signed up," Naismith said.

"He’s someone who knows the domestic game well and has had to work really hard to get to where he is today.

"James has bags of talent, he’s got a great engine and he’s going to provide us with options.

"He’ll be an asset for us and he’s at a great age where there’s even more to come. We can develop him further and help him to reach new levels."

Livingston and Ayr United are interested in 30-year-old Dundee centre-half Lee Ashcroft, who finished last season with the two club's Scottish Championship rivals, Raith Rovers. (The Courier), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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French goalkeeper Jerome Prior has become Livingston's sixth signing as David Martindale's side prepare for life in the Championship.

The 28-year-old most recently played in his homeland for Ligue 2 side Pau FC, having started his career at Bordeaux, who he made 29 appearances for.

Prior has worn a Livingston strip already after turning out in a mid-season friendly in Turkey during the winter break.

The club say conversations continued between the goalkeeper and Martindale, with a one-year deal now in place, with the contract automatically extended by another year if Livingston are promoted straight back to the Premiership.

Stuart Barrie
Fan writer

Our time in the Premiership is over. We had an amazing six seasons being the brave, battling underdog that no one liked.

We had plenty of stick along the way - 'plastic pitch', 'plastic team' and the perennial 'you have no fans'. Other clubs thought we were more like the ugly sister who got to go to the ball rather than Cinderella.

Yet despite all this we've had some brilliant victories against all the big teams, some memorable ones against the Old Firm, top-six finishes and a cup final. Not bad.

The terrible season we've just had is the one I thought we would have when we first came up, so everything that’s happened until now is a bonus.

The Hibs game had end-of-season borefest written all over it before a ball was kicked and it lived up the non-billing. I think both teams were pleased when the curtain was closed on this dull game and the season.

We could've won the match with a couple of good finishes from Bruce Anderson - we’ll miss his prowess in front of goal next season, along with the battling qualities of Jason Holt and James Penrice.

I’m not fussed whether we bounce back straight away. I just want to see competitive games where we try to win, instead of playing to not get beat. I want to see goals, players trying their utmost, and above all I am looking forward to us winning a few games.

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Livingston have confirmed the departure of 11 players following their final game in the Scottish Premiership.

Mikey Devlin and Jason Holt have both left the club following the triggering of automatic relegation release clauses .

The West Lothian side also confirmed Bruce Anderson, Morgan Boyes, Kurtis Guthrie, Jack Hamilton, Joel Nouble, Ayo Obileye, James Penrice and Andrew Shinnie will not sign contract extensions.

However, Sean Kelly and Cristian Montano are both in discussions about prolonging their stay despite their deals being up, while Dan MacKay returns to parent club Hibs.

Steven Bradley has requested to be placed on the transfer list, with Mo Sangare, Miles Welch-Hayes and David Carson also made available for sale.

David Martindale has already secured the signings of Robbie Muirhead, Matthew Clarke, Daniel Finlayson, Liam Sole and Ricky Korboa for next season.

Livingston players remaining under contract: Jamie Brandon, Shaun Donnellan, Shamal George, Stephen Kelly, Samson Lawal, Michael Nottingham, Scott Pittman, Aphelele Teto, Tete Yengi.

We asked for your thoughts after Livingston's time in the top flight came to an end with a 1-1 draw at home to Hibs.

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

Jennifer: It's been a hard, frustrating season, especially for the fans watching. The Championship is going to be a tough ask for us to bounce straight back

Anon: Four wins all season. Same old story, same old mistakes and yet at least we finished on a draw. Please leave now, David Martindale. It’s the right thing to do.

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• Myziane Maolida has scored 10 league goals this season (one in this game), more than any other Hibs player.

• Livingston have scored in their last six games in the Scottish Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of eight games from 29 January 2022 to 6 March 2022.

• Hibs have lost 21 points from winning positions in the top flight this season, only Dundee (25) have lost more.

• Joel Nouble has assisted two goals this season one in this game), no Livingston player has more in the Scottish Premiership.

• Hibs attempted the last five shots in this game as Livingston's last shot was taken by Bruce Anderson in the 67th minute.

• Bruce Anderson has scored seven league goals this season (one in this game), more than any other Livingston player.

Watch highlights as Hibernian and Livingston play out a 1-1 Scottish Premiership draw.

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