Livingston

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Jamie Brandon is prepared for a tough test in "quite a quick turnaround" as he prepares to face his old club when Kilmarnock welcome Livingston to Rugby Park on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old left the West Lothian side after captaining the team to top-flight promotion last term.

Now the right-back is preparing for a "strange" fixture against his old club in the Scottish League Cup group stage.

"It will be enjoyable obviously. I know everyone there very well and know how they like to work," said Brandon.

"It will be a tough test and they're a competitive team so it's one I'm looking forward to. With the draw and then the first league game as well - nice and quick playing against them.

"I do find it a little bit strange. Obviously I was there for three years and I only just left not long ago and you're back playing against them.

"So it's quite a quick turnaround but it's one I'm looking forward to and I want to showcase what us at Kilmarnock can do against them."

The defender became Stuart Kettlewell's first signing after three seasons at Livingston.

Brandon reflected on his time with his former team but insists he is hopeful for more success at his new club.

"It was a time I really enjoyed and I think particularly last season, it was a successful year and probably where I played my best football in my career, so I look back with fond memories," he added.

Meanwhile, Kilmarnock have announced a co-operation agreement with Annan Athletic.

Zander Craik, Josh Gilmour and Duncan Barlow will head to Galabank as part of the agreement, which focuses on boosting opportunities for young Scottish players.

The Rugby Park club say "this is a flexible loan agreement that allows players to move between the sides" during the campaign.

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David Martindale thinks Livingston are "a little bit undercooked" going into their second Premier Sports Cup group game against fellow Premiership side Kilmarnock on Wednesday.

Livi kicked off their campaign with a narrow win over League 1 East Fife and now face Killie - who defeated Brora Rangers on Saturday - who they also open their league season against on Saturday, 2 August.

Martindale believes Wednesday's game is going to be "a hell of a lot different" to their meeting next month.

"It's early in the season, so it's one of the ones, if you win it, you'll probably say you can use it as a barometer," the manager said. "If you don't, you can't.

"I think we're a wee bit undercooked going into it.

"I think this game is going to be a hell of a lot different from what the first league game is going to be.

"So I think both teams will be a wee bit cagey, sussing each other out, but come the first league game, I think it'll be a totally different game that you see from both teams."

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Goalkeeper Jerome Prior has signed a new three-year deal with Livingston which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2028.

The 29-year-old joined David Martindale's side from Pau FC last summer and went on to make 44 appearances last term and kept 22 clean sheets - the highest of any Livingston goalkeeper in a single season.

Prior played a pivotal role in a campaign that saw Livi concede the second-fewest goals across the SPFL and secure an immediate return to the top flight thanks to their play-off win over Ross County.

Livingston goalkeeper Jerome Prior is close to agreeing a new three-year contract with the club after two six-figure bids from Latvian champions RFS were rejected for the 29-year-old last month. (Sky Sports), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Livingston have signed French central defender Brooklyn Kabongolo on a two-year deal from National League South side, Aveley.

An Ipswich Town academy product, Kabongolo, 22, was with Livingston on the pre-season trip to the Netherlands and featured in the win against Alloa Athletic.

Kabongolo, who scored three goals in 34 league games last season will provide competition to veteran defenders Ryan McGowan and Danny Wilson in David Martindale's side.

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A Robbie Muirhead free-kick earned Livingston a 1-1 draw against Belgian side Kortrijk at their training camp in the Netherlands.

It follows Thursday's 3-1 victory over Greek outfit Aris, when the goals came from Daniel Finlayson, Graham Carey and Andy Winter.

David Martindale's team open their season away to East Fife next Saturday in the Premier Sports Cup.

Livingston manager David Martindale is pleased with his transfer business but still wants to add another striker before the close of the window. (Daily Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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David Martindale's "infectiousness" played a sizeable part in Shane Blaney signing for Livingston, the former Motherwell man says.

Defender Blaney, 26, made 54 appearances for the Steelmen before switching to Livi last month after Martindale called.

"I could feel his passion for the place, so I wanted to get it done quickly," he told club media.

"It's infectious when he speaks to you like the way he speaks about the club so I'm looking forward to getting going now and getting back playing games.

"I'll give everything, hopefully there's a bit of quality in there, with a few rockets, too."

Graham Carey hopes he "gets a home cheer rather than a heartbreak" with future fine finishers after he scored a superb goal against Livingston for his previous club St Johnstone.

The magic midfielder netted a belter to knock David Martindale's side out of the Scottish Cup at the quarter-final stage back in March, but has since joined the West Lothian club.

Carey, 36, hopes there are more "top corner rakers" to come after a little delay to the start of his Livi life.

"My flight was cancelled so I was a bit late coming back," he told club media.

"It wasn't ideal, but no, it was great to come in and meet all the lads.

"I know a few of them and played against a lot of them as well. So, just excited to get started."

Carey added the move had "been in the pipeline" since the end of the season.

"It was pretty much straight after the season finished," Carey added.

"I spoke to the gaffer and I liked his enthusiasm about the way he wants to play the game and just his mindset.

"He doesn't really bother about the opposition. He just wants to do his own thing and play his own way.

"I think the way he wants to play kind of suits my style as well. So, hopefully, it can be a good season.

"And, hopefully, I can score a few goals and get a home cheer rather than a heartbreak."

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Cammy Kerr is at Livingston "to prove people wrong" while fellow summer signing Connor McLennan wants to "excite fans" as both look forward to a Scottish Premiership return.

The pair spent last season in the second tier, with defender Kerr at Queen's Park and winger McLennan at Ayr United, but they have top-flight experience.

Former Dundee full-back Kerr, 29, wants to show he can still compete at the highest level in Scotland.

"I want to play as much as I can and help this team not only stay in the division, but push forward," he told club media.

"I have personal goals I want to aim at, but I want to prove people wrong and show I can definitely play in the top league."

Ex-Aberdeen man McLennan, 25, is equally keen to strut his stuff again in the top flight.

"I hope to excite the fans," he added. "I will use my pace to try and take defenders on and chip in with goals and assists when I can."

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Zak Rudden says Livingston should "thrive" off their underdog status as the promoted side prepare for their Scottish Premiership return.

David Martindale's men returned to the top flight after a season away with a convincing play-off final win over Ross County.

Rudden has been recruited from Championship side Queen's Park as Martindale revamps his squad and the striker acknowledges his new club will be among the favourites to go straight back down.

"You've got to thrive off that," the 25-year-old said. "I've got another shot at the Premiership for myself and there is a good group of lads, so hopefully we can do well.

"It's been a long summer for me, so I'm delighted to be here and I'm ready to get started.

"I liked everything about [Martindale] and everything he stood for. The club's going in the right direction."

Ross County are in talks to sign 19-year-old Aberdeen midfielder Adam Emslie, who spent last season on loan to Cove Rangers. (Sky Sports), external

Adam Emslie is set to knock back the chance to remain in the Scottish Premiership with promoted Livingston, having also had interest from St Johnstone, with the Aberdeen midfielder preferring a move to Ross County on a two-year contract in a transfer that includes a number of add-ons and future incentives. (Daily Record), external

Adam Emslie is wanted on a permanent transfer by Ross County, but they face competition from a host of clubs and the winger could yet remain with Aberdeen. (Press & Journal), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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BBC Sport has taken a look at which players will be free agents on 1 July.

The majority of major football leagues run from late summer to late spring, with pre-season in June and July. Therefore, contracts across most divisions typically expire at 23:59 on 30 June each year.

Those whose contracts are expiring but have already agreed transfers to new clubs are not included, as they will not become free agents.

Some Scottish Premiership contracts expire on 31 May rather than 30 June - the below players either already are or will become free agents.

Aberdeen: Tom Ritchie

Celtic: Greg Taylor

Dundee: Scott Fraser, Antonio Portales, Joe Shaughnessy

Dundee United: David Babunksi, Allan Campbell, Lewis Moult, Bryan Mwangi

Falkirk: N/A

Hearts: Jorge Grant, Barrie McKay, Lawrence Shankland

Hibernian: Maksymilian Boruc, Junior Hoilett

Kilmarnock: Kyle Magennis, Kieran O'Hara, Kyle Vassell

Livingston: N/A

Motherwell: Moses Ebiye, Harry Paton, Dominic Thompson, Davor Zdravkovski

Rangers: Adam Devine, Tom Lawrence, Ianis Hagi

St. Mirren: Dennis Adeniran, Elvis Bwomono

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Marvin Bartley took the opportunity to return to the Livingston dugout "with both hands" after conversations with David Martindale.

Bartley took place beside Martindale for the first time since returning to the club in Saturday's friendly win against League 1 Alloa.

Robbie Muirhead's first-half penalty was cancelled out by opposing forward Connor Sammon, before Reece McAlear and Stevie May secured the win with second-half strikes.

The Lions now head to the Netherlands for a pre-season training camp and Bartley is itching to get stuck into things.

"First and foremost, we've got to get our fitness levels up," he told club media.

"That's the important thing when you come back.

"Get across to Holland, spend seven days with each other and then come back and things will hopefully move seamlessly on."

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Hearts midfielder Macaulay Tait has returned to Livingston for a second loan spell after helping the West Lothian side to promotion last season.

The 19-year-old signed for Livingston in January and played 23 times as they reclaimed their top-flight status via the play-offs.

He will link up with David Martindale's side again in the Scottish Premiership on a season-long deal during which Hearts say he will "continue his development".

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Marvin Bartley's return as Livingston coach "softens the blow" of Brian Rice's move from the dugout to the boardroom, says manager David Martindale.

Rice was announced as Livingston's head of football operations on Thursday, leaving his role as a first-team coach vacant.

Bartley, 38, initially joined the Lions as a player in 2019 and then became assistant before leaving to become manager of Queen of the South in 2023.

Martindale said it was "a no-brainer" to get the former Hibernian midfielder back in the dugout.

"Brian's change in role left a void in the coaching team and it was a no-brainer to speak to Marv and see if he would like to come back be a part of my coaching staff again," Martindale told the club website.

"My relationship with Marv over the years since has only grown ever since the day we signed him from Hibs. I have huge respect for him as both a person, and as a coach.

"We have always kept in touch so I knew he was itching to get back on the grass and I'm just delighted we can get him back to the club.

"It's a hugely positive signing for the myself and the club and I'm sure the players will really look forward to working with him.

"I feel bringing Marv back really softens the blow of losing Brian in the dugout, but having both of these guys at the club really is fantastic for everyone at Livingston."

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Brian Rice has "swapped the dugout for the boardroom" after being appointed head of football operations at Livingston.

Rice, 61, joined David Martindale's backroom team in November 2023 and helped the team gain immediate promotion back to the Scottish Premiership last season.

The former Hamilton and Alloa boss will now focus on the club's player recruitment.

"As part of the structural review at the end of our successful 2024-25 season, we identified we were a bit fragile in terms of player recruitment and player ID, both paramount to the on-field success of the club," manager Martindale said.

"[Rice] has swapped the dugout for the boardroom on a matchday essentially, and as much as he will be a big loss in terms of the daily coaching and matchday itself, he will be a huge asset for the football club in this new role."

Livingston are keen on a return for Hearts midfielder Macaulay Tait, 19, following his successful loan last season, but there is also interest from Dundee, Falkirk and St Johnstone. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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German winger Jannik Wanner has become Livingston's eighth summer sigining after joining from Austrian side SKU Amstetten for an undisclosed fee.

The Haiti-born 25-year-old, whose career until now had been based in Germany and Austria, has penned a three-year deal with the West Lothian club.

The forward joins David Martindale's men after scoring nine goals and providing 13 assists in an impressive season last term in Austria's second tier.

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Midfielder Mo Sylla has joined Livingston following his exit from fellow Scottish Premiership side Dundee on a three-year deal.

The French 31-year-old spent two seasons at the Dens Park club, making 67 appearances, after joining from English League Two side Hartlepool United.

Sylla becomes David Martindale's seventh signing as the Lions prepare for life in the top flight again.