Livingston

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Livingston have announced the loan signing of Hearts goalkeeper Michael McGovern until the end of the season.

The 39-year-old arrived at Tynecastle in the summer, but has not made a competitive appearance for Hearts.

“I’m delighted to bring Michael into the building," Livi manager David Martindale said. “He brings a wealth of experience into the dressing room and is a top professional on and off the park.

“Ideally, it wasn’t a position we were overly looking to strengthen as I feel we could use the resources elsewhere but the trip to Turkey highlighted that we needed another keeper in the building.

“Neither Jack [Hamilton] or Shamal [George] were available for the games over in Turkey due to injuries and Jack’s probably takes him beyond the January window so we felt we needed another goalkeeper in the building now."

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Second-tier title hopefuls Raith Rovers will fancy their chances at Livingston, who are anchored to the bottom of the Premiership and on a miserable 13-game winless run.

Despite suffering back-to-back Championship defeats in their last two outings, Ian Murray's side are still challenging at the top of the table as they sit level on points with leaders Dundee United.

Eleven defeats in Livingston's last 13 games, plus a serious lack of goals, sent the West Lothian club into the winter break battered and bruised.

But a victory over Saturday's opponents, who they have beaten twice in the Scottish Cup in the last four seasons, could ignite their campaign.

David Martindale feels he needs "another couple" of signings but hinted Livingston may need to divert funds to signing a new goalkeeper.

The West Lothian side have recruited defender Shaun Donnellan and striker Tete Yengi so far in the January transfer window but keeper Jack Hamilton has picked up an injury.

"Jack's done really well but he's now given Shamal [George] the opportunity to step in again," said Martindale.

"We're going to have to call up the under-18 goalkeeper and it's an area we're going to have to look at strengthening because Jack could be out for six to eight weeks and this is a pivotal part of the season.

"It's an area of the park I don't want to be using finances on because we've got two very capable keepers in the building but it's something I'm going to have to look at."

Livingston hope to loan out 20-year-old forward Aphele Teto to a European club in an effort to ensure the South African is eligible for a work permit in the summer.

"If he can get out playing for the next six months, that would give him the necessary change in circumstances to apply for a panel in the summer," said Martindale.

"It's frustrating because he would have been an asset. I believe my opinion should hold a bit more weight when it comes to a work permit because we're saying he'll play for us.

"He's been training with us for six months and he's been absolutely incredible, he'd have made a big difference for us."

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Signing Andy Halliday would be "out of sight" for Livingston, says manager David Livingston as the midfielder is linked with Motherwell.

Heart of Midlothian's Halliday, 32, started his career at Livi and has struggled for game time at Tynecastle so far this season.

"I think Andy would be an unbelievable player for Livingston, he would add huge positivity to the group, but Andy's got some strong options and I respect that," said Martindale.

"I would love a player of Andy's calibre at Livingston but I think it's a wee bit out of sight, if I'm honest.

"If you're a player and you've got a chance of being in a relegation battle or chasing Europe or top six, at that end of your career you're probably going to try and chase European football."

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Livingston boss David Martindale has been speaking to the media ahead of his side's Scottish Cup tie against Raith Rovers.

• Says Raith Rovers, who sit second in the Scottish Championship, are a bigger club than the West Lothian outfit and that is been ratified by the Kirkcaldy side selling more tickets than their hosts.

• Martindale also confirmed summer signing Aphelele Teto has returned to South Africa.

• The club's request for a work permit for Teto was refused and they are unable to apply again until the circumstances surrounding his selection for international duty change.

• The Livi boss also confirmed its highly unlikely they will be signing Andy Halliday from Hearts on loan as the midfielder has other options open to him.

Liam McLeod is joined by former Livingston captain and assistant manager Marvin Bartley and fan Stuart Barrie to review The Lions’ season so far.

• Listen and subscribe to the podcast here.

Livingston return to domestic action on Saturday, as they host Raith Rovers in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

What team would you select if you were in David Martindale's position?

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

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The January window is a curious beast.

Notoriously tough to navigate, you never quite know what quality of player is going to stumble through the door and be thrust into the madness of a midway season. Sometimes, they're a revelation. Sometimes, they're rotten.

We're asking you to cast your mind back and tell us the best player Livingston signed in the winter window, and the January transfer that still gives you nightmares to this day.

Let us know.

We asked your views on the players Livingston signed in the summer now we are halfway through the season. Here's what some of you said:

Anon: The recruitment has been terrible. Aphelele Teto isn’t able to play. Mo Sangare rarely gets a game, as is the case with Miles Welch-Hayes. Danny Lloyd left after barely playing and Mikey Devlin seems uninspiring. I guess Michael Nottingham, despite his injuries and lack of fitness, seems the most solid squad member signed. Recruitment has been woeful though.

Matt: Genuinely hard to pick a "best" summer signing, if we're being honest. Mikey Devlin's early solidity has deserted him of late, and Michael Nottingham has had an injury-plagued time of it. The big mystery remains Aphelele Teto - Martindale has great hopes for this kid, but he'll have to be the second coming of Pele himself if we're to escape this...

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It hasn't been an easy season in West Lothian, to say the least.

With the January window now open, we're asking you to reflect on the dealings at the start of the season.

Who was Livingston's best new arrival this summer, and how have they made their impact on the team? What have their highlights during a tough campaign at Almondvale?

Let us know.

Stuart Barrie, Livingston fan

Season so far: 2/10

We’re at the bottom of league so that marks the season down so far. As well as being blunt in attack, our normally stoic defence has made some glaring errors that have leaked goals. Not scoring and conceding is a recipe for relegation.

Best player: James Penrice

Local lad James Penrice has been a standout in a team that’s not performed to the standards set previously. He offers so much defensively with his athleticism, and in attack with his strong running off the ball. Penrice has really grown in confidence this season and I think there’s a leader developing in him too. He gets what it takes to play at Livi and really cares. We need more like him.

Credit to Kurtis Guthrie as well. He wasn’t a first pick last season but this season we’ve needed all his battling qualities up front. So, so pleased to see him finally score recently too.

Most disappointing player: Take your pick!

The most obvious candidate is Joel Nouble, who has not performed to anything like the standards he set for himself last year. We all know what he’s capable of and sadly for him and the team he’s not been the same.

Fellow attacker Bruce Anderson hasn’t been the same threat either. Granted he’s had reduced minutes on the pitch but an attacker with his prowess should be scoring much more.

Manager rating: 7/10

I think David Martindale has done okay. We've been too direct too often and it's predictable for teams to work us out. We have good footballers so can mix it up a lot more.

There’s been a few odd calls like playing Nouble at right wing-back playing Cristian Montano at centre-half. Martindale has done brilliantly up until now so a bit of backing is more than due.

Predicted finish in table: 11th

This is maybe more hope and optimism but I think we have the players to get out of this awful spot. Not sure we’ll be that far up the table but if we get to a play-off I would fancy our chances against anyone.

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It's been a pretty dreadful season so far for Livingston. Rock bottom of the Scottish Premiership with just two league wins, and a goal difference of -20 tells you all you need to know.

However, the underlying stats may provide some optimism for both manager David Martindale and the club's fans.

Livi have produced an xG value of 19.9 across their 21 league games, a figure significantly higher than the 12 goals they have scored. This shows they are creating opportunities; they are just struggling to stick them in the back of the net, as shown by their shot conversion rate, a paltry 6.3%.

Their underperformance is not just in attack. Livi have conceded 32 goals, five more than their expected goals against value of 27.

Should Livingston start performing more in line with their stats after the winter break and start taking their chances, Martindale will hope they can turn their fortunes around and climb up the league table.

Livingston manager David Martindale has wished Tom Parkes "nothing but success" after the defender signed for English side Hartlepool United.

The 31-year-old arrived in West Lothian in 2021, but made just 27 appearances for Livingston during an injury-hit stay.

With his contract expiring in the summer, the Englishman has taken the decision to return south of the border to be closer to his family.

“I wish Tom nothing but success," Martindale said. "His time at Livingston has been hampered by long term injuries which has been a real shame for both him and the club.

“He is a top, top professional and gives you everything every day and will be a huge miss around the club.

“I can’t speak highly enough of him as an individual and would never have stood in the way of him being able to be closer to his family.”

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Manager David Martindale has given up social media to focus on Livingston's survival in the Scottish Premiership. (Sun), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip

Two sides at the wrong end of the table will lock horns 15 minutes later than originally scheduled as Motherwell's trip to Livingston has been selected for television coverage.

Live on Sky Sports, the potential basement battle will now kick-off at 8pm on Wednesday 28 February.

Livingston's last win game in this fixture back in October, when Lennon Miller's first-half red card helped David Martindale's team on their way.

Stuart Kettlewell's men will also be on the box three days earlier, as they welcome Celtic to Fir Park for a noon showdown on Sunday 25 February.

The Steelmen will be looking to avenge their dramatic loss to the league leaders earlier in the season, when Blair Spittal's 95th-minute equaliser wasn't enough to seal a point thanks to a Matt O'Riley winner on 97 minutes.

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Livingston have enquired about Hearts midfielder Andy Halliday. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip

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It didn't take Tete Yengi long to get going at Livingston - after signing just two days ago he made a strong first impression coming off the bench against Hearts.

He has given fans a taste of what to expect from him after the winter break - saying despite being 6ft 5in tall, his height isn't his biggest attribute.

"I'm very good technically with the ball," he told the club's media team, external.

"I know coming here I will need to work on the other side of my game and I spoke with the gaffer [David Martindale] about working hard and giving everything for the team.

"Of course that's what I'm going to do, bring all my abilities that I have to the team.

"This has definitely been a league I've been looking at. I know there are some top teams in this league.

"It's a good stepping stone in my career. When I spoke to the coach and had a look around I was excited. I'm happy to be here."

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Andrew Shinnie believes Livingston can survive the drop if they show the same desire they did against Hearts - despite David Martindale's side losing 2-1.

"It was a good performance, very disappointing we didn't take anything from it, we definitely deserved it but if you can take positives, if we play like that every week we'll have a chance, just the desire and the hunger that was missing in the last game which cost us," Shinnie told Livingston Football Club, external.

"We had a discussion after the Motherwell game, I sort of said a bit myself, it's up to me as a senior player as well to keep on top of that and probably haven't been as much as we should at times recently.

"We had a good chat, a few things said between each other and the last few days have been much better.

"We've got a break now and we'll work really hard as the managers just said, everyone on board and graft, in the next couple of weeks, we'll graft and be ready and if we can keep playing like that we'll definitely give ourselves a chance.

"There's still half a season left and I've always just got a belief in the team that we can turn it around.

"We've got a good group and when we play like that it just shows we're capable, but we have to do it every day, give ourselves the best chance.

"If we do that and whatever happens, we can look at ourselves in the mirror and accept it, but as long as we're doing everything right, training properly, applying ourselves on matchdays and give ourselves the best opportunity, that's all we can do.

"If everyone sticks together and rallies around each other, we'll get out of it."

Defender Luiyi de Lucas has left Livingston, after requesting to terminate his contract due to homesickness.

The 29-year-old Dominican Republic international was in contract until the summer.

“Luiyi came and spoke to me a few weeks back and stressed that he was struggling with homesickness and was missing being with his family," manager David Martindale said.

“We agreed that Luiyi would continue until the winter break as to not leave us short in the last few weeks before agreeing to terminate his contract to allow him to return closer to home and family.

“I wish Luiyi well wherever his next move is and thank him for his time at the club.”

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Shaun Donnellan is looking forward to "cracking on" with Livingston as the versatile defender finally joins Livingston.

The 27-year-old, who was a Republic of Ireland under-21 international, signs on a two-and-a-half year deal from English National League South side, Torquay United, where Martindale has monitored him since the summer.

"I'm delighted. It's been a long time coming, so it's brilliant and I'm just glad to crack on now," he said.

"We need to start picking up points and getting results, here's hoping we can do that.

"If we knuckle down and work hard, hopefully we can get out of this.

"I bring versatility - I can play centre-half, right-back, centre-mid and right-wing back - so a lot of options and hopefully I can just give my all."