Livingston

It's been bad news on the injury front for David Martindale. Scott Pittman, who had been playing through an injury, had to be subbed off in the first half of last weekend's Scottish Cup tie against Partick Thistle. Shaun Donnellan also had to make way in the first 45 minutes with an injury.

James Penrice is still missing and was sent to see a surgeon on Thursday. Goalkeeper Jack Hamilton is another absentee although Martindale suggested he's not far off a return.

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Livingston first-team coach and analyst Eugenio Sena has left the club.

The 32-year-old Italian joined Livingston last summer, but has quit after just nine months to take a managerial role overseas.

He paid tribute to Livingston manager David Martindale as he bade farewell to Almondvale.

“I will be always grateful to the gaffer for letting me join the Lions," he told Livi's website.

“I have been so lucky to have spent time with the backroom staff, players, medical staff and all the people involved in Livi's family who did not let me miss Italy.

“A part of me is sad for leaving Scotland, but thanks to the gaffer for kindly accepting my request to terminate my job here as I have got a manager opportunity abroad that I am exciting to be embark upon.

Sena, a UEFA A licence holder, had previously coached in Greece, Saudi Arabia and Australia - and worked in academies at clubs including Internazionale, Debrecen amd Juventus - from where he joined Livi.

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• Livingston are winless in 12 league meetings with St Mirren (D6 L6) since a 2-1 victory in February 2020 under Gary Holt.

• After their 1-0 victory in November, St Mirren could win back-to-back league meetings with Livingston for the first time since November 2020.

• Livingston are winless in 17 Scottish Premiership games (D3 L14), the longest run by any side in the top-flight since Hamilton went 22 without a win from November 2010 to April 2011.

• St Mirren have won both of their last two away league matches, which is as many victories as they managed in their previous 14 on the road (W2 D3 L9). They could win three consecutive away matches in the top-flight for the first time since May 2007.

• Mikael Mandron has scored in both of St Mirren’s last two league games; the last player to score in three straight league appearances for the Buddies was Mark O’Hara in April 2023 – whose third such match was against Livingston.

Can Livingston build some positive momentum from their dramatic Scottish Cup victory over Partick Thistle last weekend?

They host top-six hopefuls St Mirren at the Tony Macaroni Arena on Saturday in search of their first league win since October.

Who would you like to see in the starting line-up? Pick your team here.

"We’re in a difficult moment in terms of numbers," bemoaned Livingston manager David Martindale after losing three more players to injury.

Shaun Donnellan and Scott Pittman were forced off in Saturday’s Scottish Cup win away to Partick Thistle, while Steven Bradley pulled out in the warm-up with an Achilles issue.

James Penrice, Cristian Montano, Kurtis Guthrie, Mick Devlin and Jack Hamilton were already missing for the Premiership's bottom club.

"The numbers are really depleted," said Martindale. "It’s about getting these boys back on the park as quick as possible while also looking after the boys that are available week on week.

"Pittman has been playing through an injury because he knows how important every game is to the club over the past six weeks or so.

"He said he wanted to play against Partick and help the team but he went off with an Achilles/calf injury. The boys are rushing themselves back to try and help the group, but it’s not ideal."

Meanwhile, Martindale wants to build on the dramatic fightback at Firhill as the West Lothian side battle for top flight survival.

"I don’t think we’ve been a million miles away from getting results, but the boys dug themselves out of a hole on Saturday and hopefully that gives them a bit of self-belief," he said.

"There are 13 (league) games left. I understand that, the boys understand that. There’s a lot of perspective in the building. We need to start picking up points."

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We won a game!

It doesn’t matter it was against a team in the league below or that it took 120 minutes. A win is a win.

I loved the scenes with the players and fans celebrating together too. It’s not been that harmonious this season so those scenes at Firhill were so good to see. I did fear the worst when we went behind but we showed the fighting spirit and grit that Livi is built on.

It’s almost a cliché but we need to build on this cup win to get some momentum going. Performances have been better in recent league games despite the lack of results so I’m hoping, praying even, that we can use this win to turn the corner.

Celtic in the next round is a good tie - it’s a decent pay out and we are a long shot to get through, so we can take the cash and concentrate on the league.

It's St Mirren next. It feels like we say this for every game just now, but this is the biggest game for us in a long time. We have to win.

Listen to the latest episode of BBC Scotland's Scottish Football Podcast here.

Amy Canavan is joined by Rory Loy and John Walker – analyst and host of the Scots Abroad podcast – to discuss all the big talking points in Scottish football.

They give their thoughts on Don Cowie at Ross County, interim managers in general and the Michael Mellon head injury incident.

And, with the Euros looming into view, we take a look at the Scotland squad and assess some of the players hoping to force their way in, including Plymouth Argyle's Ryan Hardie.

Celtic will host Livingston in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.

The tie will take place on the weekend of 9 March.

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Andrew Shinnie hailed the "character" within the Livingston squad after they came from 2-0 down to beat Partick Thistle and reach the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.

Tete Yengi's header right at the end of extra-time completed the turnaround, and offered welcome respite from their dismal league form.

"It looked like we were in a bit of trouble at one stage, but unbelievable character from the boys, great travelling support, and great scenes at the end," Shinnie said.

"Probably deserved it as the game went on, and we're into the hat. Even when we were 2-0 down, you still had that inkling if we could get a goal back we're in this.

"They tired a wee bit and thankfully we got the goal to get back in it. In extra-time you're just hoping it doesn't go to penalties. To get the goal from Tete and go through is a brilliant feeling.

"It's been a tough spell for a while now, so when you get a win like that you've got to enjoy it. Hopefully that can kickstart it and we can back it up [against St Mirren]."

We asked for your thoughts after Livingston booked their place in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals with a dramatic 3-2 win against Partick Thistle.

Here's what you had to say:

Neil: That was so good. Chuffed for big Joel Nouble today - he has had a tough period and was back to his best today. It looked like we had three Jason Holts playing today, he was everywhere, absolutely magnificent. Great escape is on now!

Del: Great to see Joel bang in two. But I hate to say, we've always knew his abilities, what he can do on a football pitch, it's his application that's been in doubt. He has to continue this now or he will never play at a more lucrative level.

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After scoring the winner against Thistle:

"It’s crazy. What a crazy feeling. We worked so hard all game , to come back from losing we’re just so happy to get the result."

On feeling when the goal went in:

"Relief. We worked so hard the full 90 minutes to get back into the game and then in extra time we kept pushing and pushing and then in the last minute we finally got it, so yeah just a big relief."

On Livi's fight:

"We trust ourselves, we’re a good side. We kept fighting. The hard work you have to put in first, the quality comes after that. That relief, that feeling once we got back was just amazing.

"I wasn’t thinking about it going to penalties, I knew we’d get one more chance."

On the quarter finals and win being potential catalyst:

"Coming off a result like this, the way we played, just shows that we’re here to fight. Whoever we get we're going to go out there and fight.

"I hope this is a kick start, we haven’t won in a while. I’m hoping we can just build on this from now, take the positive energy, the fight, the desire and take it into the league."

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Livingston manager David Martindale tells BBC Scotland: "I thought it was a good game of football, more for the neutral than myself. It's common knowledge that we're in a sticky situation, and to go 2-0 down and come back in the manner they did, the players deserve huge credit.

"When we went 2-0 down, I thought I'd be lucky to have a job on Sunday. It was just about sticking to the game plan, and when the subs went on it really helped us. We caused them problems in the wide areas, we controlled a lot."

"In the first half we were unlucky not to have a penalty, and Tete was unlucky to have his goal pulled back. At 2-0 down, it was a huge mountain.

"We looked like the fitter team out there, despite having a game on Wednesday night. When it went to extra-time, we looked like the team that would get the winner.

"Me and my staff have said we will stay in this building, fighting for the badge until matchday 38."

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One of the most memorable Livingston results in recent times. Has your heart rate returned to normal?

Did you ever think you'd win that from 2-0 down? And how good was Joel Nouble today?

Let us know your thoughts.

Partick Thistle: Sneddon, McMillan, Muirhead, Neilson, Milne, McInroy, Bannigan, Stanway, Fitzpatrick, Graham, Lawless.

Substitutes: Stewart, Mitchell, Williams, Ngwenya, Alston, Lyon, MacKenzie, Diack, Adeloye.

Livingston: McGovern, Donnellan, Obileye, Nottingham, Brandon, Holt, Pittman, St Kelly, MacKay, Nouble, Yengi.

Substitutes: George, Anderson, Bradley, Sangare, Shinnie, Se Kelly, Ledingham, Culbert, Lawal.