Livingston

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Michael McGovern is determined to break into the Livingston starting XI after "frustrating" spells at Norwich City and Hearts.

The 39-year-old signed for the West Lothian side earlier this month on loan from Hearts to provide competition for Shamal George in the Livingston goal.

McGovern last played a competitive game in February 2022 - an FA Cup tie for Norwich - and insists he is not content to be a back-up goalkeeper for the rest of his career.

“I’ve got some stiff competition with the other goalkeepers but I’ve come here to try and get in the team and play,” he said.

“At Hearts, I wasn’t playing and recently I haven’t even been on the bench because Craig Gordon’s back fit so this is a better opportunity for me here.

“It’s been difficult. At Norwich, I was going in every day trying to get in the team, same at Hearts. I wasn’t just happy to pick up my wages, I wanted to contribute.

“But it’s hard sometimes as a goalkeeper because only one can play. In my last season at Norwich I was up against Angus Gunn, a Scotland international, and Tim Krul, a Holland international.

“And then I went to Hearts and I was up against Craig and Zander Clark, two Scotland internationals, so it’s been tough. It’s been frustrating not to play because I’m desperate to play and contribute to a team and get that feeling back on a Saturday so that’s my aim here.”

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• After winning three consecutive matches against Dundee between January and May 2022, Livingston have since lost each of their last two against the Dee, failing to score in both matches (0-2 & 0-1).

• Dundee won their last league visit to Livingston (2-0, October 2023) and are looking to make it consecutive such wins on the road against them for the first time since May 2019.

• Livingston have failed to win any of their last six league matches at home (D2 L4), last going on a longer winless streak at home in the top-flight between May and November 2005 (run of nine).

• Dundee have only won one of their last seven league games (D2 L4), and could lose back-to-back Scottish Premiership matches for the first time this season, after losing 3-2 to Hearts last time out.

• Livingston are the lowest scorers in the Scottish Premiership this season, netting just 12 times from 21 matches and drawing a blank in 12 different matches, more than any other team.

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Dylan Bahamboula has left Livingston after the club reached an agreement with the midfielder to end his spell at Tony Macaroni Arena early.

The 28-year-old signed a two-year deal with the option of a third when he joined in July 2022.

Bahamboula arrived in West Lothian after his contract at Oldham expired.

Livingston return to league action when they host Dundee at Almondvale on Saturday.

David Martindale will be looking to build on his side's Scottish Cup win over Raith Rovers last time out, but who would you pick to start if you were in the manager's shoes.

Choose your Livi XI here.

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Livi manager David Martindale hopes to make three new signings before the end of the January transfer window, but revealed Cristian Montano will be out for a month through injury.

Martindale's side, who are six points adrift at the foot of the cinch Premiership, have already recruited striker Tete Yengi, defender Shaun Donnellan and goalkeeper Michael McGovern this month.

“I think I am close (to adding) but whether I am or not is another matter,” he said. “I’ve lost out on a hell of a lot of players and we’re getting to the stage in the window when I’m probably (going to) have to push the button and get two or three in.

“There are still loads of options coming into us. Ideally, I’d like to bring three in.

“I’m working on one as we speak and I’m probably looking for closure on another on Thursday and then I’m still looking at four or five other options in an offensive area.”

Montano was forced off in the first half of Saturday’s Scottish Cup victory at home to Raith Rovers, and Martindale will be without the Colombian until late February.

“Cristian’s been really injury-prone since he came here, he’s had a lot of problems with his hamstring,” said the manager.

“I feel for him because he’s a really nice human being, he’s really positive around the place, but he seems to get himself in the team then pick up a knock or niggle.

“This one looks a bit more serious so he’s probably going to be out for the next four weeks at best.”

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Stuart Barrie, Livingston fan

Scottish Cup always throws up some shocks and there was another at the Tony Macaroni. We won a game and scoredn two goals!

A lot of people predicted a banana skin for us as the Premiership strugglers took on the free flowing, late-scoring side at the top end of the Championship.

To be fair, the visitors sprinted out of the gates and went for it from the off, with our fragile defence struggling to cope. We grafted our way back into a very decent game. Rovers had a few ex-Livi in their ranks, maybe with a point to prove, so naturally it was old boy Jack Hamilton who got their goal.

There was a few surprise omissions - James Penrice, Joel Nouble, Ayo Obileye, Bruce Anderson - leading to murmurings amongst the fans these guys weren’t playing to avoid cup tying them as they were about to be sold. We later learned Big Joel may be on his way, so we’ll see how that goes. There was relief to see a couple of those boys come on later in the game too.

Overall, we weren’t brilliant but showed character and resilience to get back into it. It was brilliant to see Jamie Brandon score, he’s been good and I hope he gets a run in the team.

Likewise with Dan Mackay, I had literally forgotten he was a Livi player. He's been missing in action, so again, I hope he builds on his goal and kicks on at the club. He could be a like a new player if he keeps fit and in form.

On a less positive note, we missed ANOTHER penalty. We may be the first team to politely decline a spot-kick in the future in fear of the inevitable, embarrassing outcome.

Lots of coming and goings over the last few weeks at the Tony Macaroni Arena, feels like a much needed mini-rebuild. Will it be enough? Time will tell.

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The SPFL say the draft report of an independent review of the league's operations shows it complies "with significant elements of the UK Code of Corporate Governance".

The review was commissioned in July after the SPFL's chairman Murdoch MacLennan apologised to Rangers as a dispute over sponsorship was concluded.

The SPFL agreed a deal with car firm cinch in 2021 but Rangers did not promote the deal and took the matter to court, citing a prior agreement with rival car retailer Park's of Hamilton.

"I am reassured but not complacent," said MacLennan of the review.

"We will now take time to consider Henderson Loggie's detailed recommendations before bringing suggested changes back to the 42 SPFL member clubs for their consideration.

“Whilst a number of the recommendations from the draft report are already being addressed, the board and the wider organisation will, of course, take all necessary steps to improve further on the excellent work which has been undertaken to date."

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Livingston's win over Raith Rovers was the most important for any manager in the Scottish Cup fourth round, says Dundee United striker Tony Watt.

Speaking on BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, the former Scotland cap argued that the cup victory will help David Martindale's side as they look to change their fortunes and climb off the bottom of the Premiership.

"I think Raith were probably the team that you'd have expected [to progress]," Watt said. "If any were going to overcome a team [in a higher division], it would have been Raith against Livingston.

"But I think David Martindale, even though he said he moans about his players, I think he does it a wee bit better than Derek Adams. I think he says they're maybe not good enough and we'll let them go or we need to bring more quality and he pleads with the board.

"I think that win will absolutely help them in the long run because they've just got a wee bit of momentum now.

"Hopefully he can build on that and Livi always kind of seemed to turn that around, especially at home, so I think that'll probably be the most important win of the weekend for any manager."

Livingston will face Partick Thistle away in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup.

The tie will take place the weekend of 10 February.

We asked for your thoughts after Livingston ended their winless run by beating Raith Rovers 2-1 and reached the last 16 of the Scottish Cup.

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

Wilson: Good feeling coming away from the game with a win, it has been a long time. Dan MacKay with an assist and a goal is also uplifting, he'll be getting more game time if Nouble leaves, and looks a much better player for us.

Jennifer: Livi owed a win to the fans today, they delivered. Hard going at times but credit where its due, they stuck in there.

Neil: Battling, hard-fought performance. That is what we expect from the Livi boys. Let's hope it transfers to league form. We are never going to play the prettiest football, but we need to be solid defensively and dangerous on the counter.

Matt: Great to finally get a win, especially one where some grit to come back from a goal down was needed. Sadly, the biggest plus is ultimately showing we can beat Championship sides, considering where we are likely heading. Nouble's sale was inevitable. The club needs funds, and he needs to be played back in position. A win for both parties.

Del: Important win, but the next win is more important.

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Dan MacKay admits it is a "massive relief" to end Livingston's barren run, after scoring a late winner against Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup.

MacKay's strike handed Livingston their first win in 14 matches, and booked their place in the fifth round of the cup.

"It’s a massive relief between the boys and myself," MacKay said. "To get off the mark for Livi is the main part for me, but to try and win the game to give us some momentum going into the season end after a good break away. Hopefully we kick on from here, there’s no point start-stopping.

"It’s massive [to build momentum]. We know the Scottish Cup can be a distraction at times and it can be a momentum helper.

"I’ve seen at previous clubs like Inverness and elsewhere that you can produce momentum during the season if you do well in the Scottish Cup so hopefully this gives us the impetus to do that.

'There is no point in having one good result, we need to put a run together and put ourselves back up the league."

Joel Nouble was left out of Livingston's squad for Saturday's Scottish Cup win over Raith Rovers, with the forward close to finalising a move away from the Premiership club. (Sun), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip

A first win since 7 October for David Martindale's men!

How does that feel, Livi fans?

Let us know your thoughts on today's performance, and the Nouble news, right here.

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Livingston manager David Martindale told BBC Scotland: "I thought it was an entertaining game of football. There were two teams trying to win the game, you could see that. You just need to look at some results in the Premiership, like the Hearts game, to see how difficult cup football is against lower-league opponents.

"I don’t think there’s a lot between the top five in the Championship and the bottom of the Premiership. I’m delighted to get through. I don't think there was a lot in the game.

"Before the penalty, I thought we were horrific. The start was terrible. It was reminiscent of the Motherwell game. It would have been easy for the players to feel sorry for themselves but they never. We built ourselves back into the game.

"I told the players, ‘That wasn’t me, or my staff, that was you.’ No formations, no tactics, that was you that found a way to win that game of football. Hopefully the players can take a wee bit of confidence and a wee bit of a boost in their self esteem."

On Joel Nouble's potential exit, Martindale gave more details on where the interest lies: "League One. And a couple of teams in the Scottish Premiership, also. If I accept an offer, I would be at liberty to say who it is."

Livingston manager David Martindale tells BBC Scotland his reasoning to omit forward Joel Nouble from today's squad: "Big Noubz is out the squad. I made the decision to take him out the squad yesterday.

"To be honest, there has been a bit of interest in him. We've had dialogue with two clubs, both down south, but I know there's a club in the Scottish Premiership too. I don't think it would be fair on Joel.

"He knows there is interest and I am not a million miles away from concluding a deal - that could still fall through. If you put a player on the park and he gets an injury, denying him a move and the club a wee bit of money, then it's in the best interests of everybody.

"Big Noubz wanted to play, I need to say that, but I thought it was in the best interests to take him out."

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David Martindale has told BBC Scotland that forward Joel Nouble is out of today's squad because of a potential transfer away from the club.

Martindale says they’re “not a million miles away from concluding a deal.”

He added that two clubs in England are interested, as well as a Scottish Premiership club.

Nouble was happy to play today but Martindale felt it better for everyone involved to keep him out.

Livingston: George, Brandon, Nottingham, Devlin, Montano, Sangare, Kelly, Holt, Pittman, Shinnie, Guthrie.

Substitutes: McGovern, Donnellan, Anderson, MacKay, Penrice, Ledingham, Culbert, Lawal.

Raith Rovers: Dabrowski, Mullin, Millen, Brown, Dick, Byrne, Turner, Connolly, Vaughan, Smith, Hamilton.

Substitutes: McNeil, Murray, Gullan, Corr, Easton, McGill, Hannah, Masson.