Livingston

Image source, SNS

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.

Image source, SNS

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."

Image source, SNS

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.

Image source, SNS

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.

Image source, SNS

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."

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

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.

Image source, SNS

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."

Image source, SNS

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."

Image source, SNS

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."

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

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.