Livingston

Image source, BBC Sport

We asked you for your thoughts on Livingston's season so far.

Del is of the mind that "something has to change".

Del: Something has to change and it's not down to bring unlucky... we're playing like a team who if we're very lucky, we might just sneak a draw.

Not enough chances being created. Not enough attacking in numbers. Players getting a game despite offering nothing in each match. Change in tactics, we're currently losing, something has to change.

We’re knee-deep into the final international break of the calendar year… who’s already itching to get back to domestic action?

To get the club juices flowing, we want to know what you’re making of Livi's season so far.

Who’s been the star performer? Which summer signing has impressed? Who deserves a shout-out? What improvements need to be made?

Give us your take here.

Stuart Barrie, Livingston fan

I didn’t expect too much from this game. Rangers had been in good form so I half-expected a bit of a drubbing.

Philippe Clement's side were very good value for their win and we had to do the hard yards to keep them at bay.

The first half wasn’t great but at least we had a bit of a go after the break.

I know VAR worked in our favour on a few decisions, but it went against us for the first penalty, and I have no idea how that one was given. I’d get VAR in the bin. It’s ruining our game, it sucks the joy out of goals and somehow VAR is all we end up talking about when it was brought in to provide definitive solutions.

It’s good to get all the stands full and bank that cash but our season isn’t about playing either of the Old Firm, it’s all about how we do against the teams around us near the bottom. There’s a few big tests coming up in the next few weeks that are going to define how this season will end for us.

A major positive for this run of games, is that we have the experienced Brian Rice as part of the coaching set-up. Teams know what we’ll do so he’ll hopefully bring in new ideas and be a good wingman for the manager. The international break comes at a good time for players and staff to work on things that will give us any sort of advantage in the matches ahead. He could be one of the signings of the season for us. I really look forward to seeing what he can bring.

Former Scotland international Kenny Miller joins BBC Sport Scotland commentator Alasdair Lamont to dissect Sunday's Scottish Premiership games, while also having a wee look forward to an unusually stress-free international break for the national team.

Give it a whirl here.

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Andrew Shinnie admits Livingston 'haven't been good enough', but assures they 'will bounce back' after the international break.

The Lions have lost their last five Scottish Premiership games - including Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Rangers - and find themselves at the foot of the table.

But the experienced Shinnie believes the group at the West Lothian club has what it takes to carve an upturn in fortunes.

"That's a block of games finished, another international break, after which we'll go into another block of games where we really need to pick up points," the 34-year-old told the club's social channels, external.

"It's games we can but we are going to have to perform better than we have been doing because it hasn't really been good enough.

"Games are coming thick and fast, which is what you want as a player. We're going through a little run at the minute, but as long as I've been here we always go through spells in the season where we struggle to get results - I think a lot of teams do.

"Hopefully this is ours, quite early in the season. There is no doubt we will get better, it's a good group in there. We will work really hard, we will bounce back.

"That was a tough game to end this block. We tried our best to be in a good shape and make it difficult for them but obviously we've ultimately lost the game 2-0.

"We're going into a break where we don't want to be where we are but we've got to deal with that. We'll be working really hard during the break and the rest of the season and we will come through it."

Former SPL referee Steve Conroy is baffled by VAR's failure to intervene after goalkeeper Shamal George's challenge on Ross McCausland was deemed a penalty in Rangers' win over Livingston. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

• Livingston have failed to score in their last four games in the Scottish Premiership, a run of 481 minutes without a goal.

• James Tavernier has scored six goals this season (1 in this game), more than any other Rangers player in the Scottish Premiership.

• Livingston have failed to score in seven of their 13 games, no team has failed to do so more often in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• Rangers have won their last five games in the Scottish Premiership, their last longer winning streak was from 8 January 2023 to 1 April 2023, a run of 10 matches.

• Livingston have lost their last five games in the Scottish Premiership, their longest losing streak in the competition (since at least 2013/2014).

• Rangers have kept a clean sheet in eight of their 12 games, more than any other in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Livingston fans, were you at the Tony Macaroni Arena to see your side fall to defeat against Rangers, or were you following along from home?

Either way, we want your thoughts on the game. Have your say here.

Livingston manager David Martindale tells BBC Sportsound: "First half we gave a cheap first goal. We made bad decision in the game that led to them applying pressure in the final third.

"We go in at half-time 1-0, a little bit lucky, but we've kept ourselves in the game. We started the second half ok, and then when it goes to 2-0 we're never getting anything from the game.

"There's still a lot of football to be played. I genuinely believe we've got enough to keep Livingston in the Scottish Premiership. It's about us focusing internally on what we can control. I take one day, one game at a time."

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George O'Neill, BBC Sport Scotland

It's now four league wins from four for Philippe Clement as the Belgian manager continues to impress.

It would have been easy for his side to become frustrated in a game where they missed from the penalty spot and had two goals chalked off. Instead, they continued to play their football, picking Livingston apart and creating chances almost at will.

Clement spoke about wanting to get his whole squad up to speed before the hectic winter period, and there was a tick in the box for Tom Lawrence who showed his creative qualities to set up the opening goal. Cyriel Dessers getting on the scoresheet again can only help his confidence after a rough start to life in Glasgow.

For Livingston, games against Rangers won't define their season, but they were desperately poor.

David Martindale spoke pre-match about needing to pose an attacking threat, but they only had nine touches in Rangers' box and registered just one shot on target. They have failed to score in their last four outings, have the second worst attacking record in the league and the joint-worst defensive record.

Martindale and Livingston have punched above their weight for so long, but something has to change quickly if they are to avoid a relegation battle this season.

Livingston: George, Penrice, Devlin, De Lucas, Montano, Pittman, Sangare, Kelly, Shinnie, Nouble, Anderson.

Substitutes: Hamilton, Parkes, Kelly, Brandon, Bradley, Welch-Hayes, Holt, Lloyd, Guthrie.

Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Goldson, Balogun, Barisic, Jack, Lundstram, McCausland, Lawrence, Sima, Dessers.

Substitutes: McCrorie, Yilmaz, Cantwell, Lammers, Cifuentes, Sterling, Roofe, Davies, Danilo.

Livingston manager David Martindale is hoping his struggling Livingston team can rise to the occasion and find a way of halting a Rangers side he feels are "in a good place" under new boss Philippe Clement.

The Ibrox team head to the Tony Macaroni Arena on Sunday in buoyant mood after winning five and drawing one of their six matches since the Belgian replaced Michael Beale last month.

"They're unbeaten so that tells you everything you need to know," said Martindale when asked what he has made of Rangers under Clement.

"He's gone in and got a good start so that then breeds a bit of momentum, which breeds self-confidence and self-esteem in the players, so ultimately you're probably getting better performances from the players.

"I think he's done a very good job and they're in a good place as a club."

While Rangers have enjoyed a resurgence since their managerial change, Livingston have lost their last four matches to slip towards the foot of the Premiership.

"You're at home and you've got the opportunity to go and pick up three points against one of the biggest clubs in the league," said Martindale.

"It kind of lifts the atmosphere throughout the training week and you probably find the players are a wee bit more at it and there are not as many players in the physio's room in the lead-up to the game.

"It brings a different kind of matchday atmosphere."

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Livingston welcome back Cristian Montano after a two-game suspension, while goalkeeper Shamal George is fit to return after a minor injury caused him to be dropped to the bench for two matches.

Ayo Obileye has recovered from a foot injury but may not be risked.

Defenders Leon Balogun and Ridvan Yilmaz return to the fold after missing Rangers' Europa League win over Sparta Prague on Thursday night as they are not in the European squad.

Midfielder Nicolas Raskin (ankle), defender John Souttar (muscle problem) and Rabbi Matondo (knee) remain out.

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Livingston defender Mikey Devlin has praised manager David Martindale for believing in him despite his prior injury woes.

Devlin played just seven times in the last three seasons, but has managed 14 already this campaign.

“It’s been brilliant,” he said. “I’m enjoying my football, I’m enjoying being fit and healthy and available for selection.

“The manager has shown a level of confidence and faith in me, that he believes I can be fit and contribute to the team, although he might be questioning what I’ve been contributing the last few games, to be fair!

“I had a good period of being fit and available for selection between January and the summer but the next step for me was to play consistent football and coming here has given me that opportunity.

“It’s up to me now to repay the faith shown in me by the manager with a level of performance that is required for Livingston in the Premiership.”

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• In all competitions, Livingston are winless in their last 19 meetings with Rangers (D2 L17) since a 1-0 victory in September 2018.

• Rangers have won eight of their last nine visits to Livingston in all competitions (D1), including each of their last five.

• Livingston have lost their last four Scottish Premiership matches; they haven’t lost five matches in a row within the same season in the top flight since 2005-06 (run of 13 consecutive defeats).

• Rangers have won their last four league matches on the road without conceding. The last time they won more consecutive away matches in the top flight without conceding a goal was between July and October 2011 (run of six).

• Rangers have already accumulated a total of 12.1 xG in just three Premiership matches under Philippe Clement – an average of 4.0 per game. In seven league matches under Michael Beale this term, Rangers accumulated a total of 13.1 xG, an average of 1.9 per match.

Livingston have announced the appointment of Alloa manager Brian Rice as their new first-team coach.

Rice will join up with the club on Saturday, and will be in the dugout for Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash with Rangers.

"I'm delighted that Brian Rice has agreed to come on board as a first-team coach," manager David Martindale said.

"I felt as coaching staff, we have been spread very thin this season since losing Christophe Berra at the end of last season.

"I spoke to Dave Black and asked him to try to find a way to allow me to bring in another coach to help us going forward.

"Brian brings a wealth of experience and contacts to our group and I feel will be a huge help going forward."

Image source, SNS

Livingston's Cristian Montano has encouraged people to open up and talk about their feelings after overcoming his own mental health struggles.

Montano contemplated taking his own life after being vilified on social media following his sacking by Oldham Athletic in 2013 in relation to spot-fixing allegations. The case against the Colombian and 12 other players was dropped in 2015.

"Don’t ever feeling like speaking shows weakness,” Montano said at a local football session designed to help people with their mental health. “When you speak, it’s a sense of relief.

"I feel like a dark cloud gets lifted, and you know, we all feel things, we all struggle, but it’s about understanding that struggling is part of life and helps us grow.

"There’s nothing wrong with you talking, sharing your story, and whatever setbacks you experience, it’s okay."

Livingston manager David Martindale was also keen to highlight the importance of such local projects.

“You look at all the girls coming along, playing football, socialising, gathering together and talking - that’s the most important aspect," he said.

"It’s about trying to help out as much as we can in the community."

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David Martindale is refusing to panic over Livingston’s poor start to the season, insisting he has steered them out of “bigger ruts”.

Livi have suffered four straight defeats, failing to score in the last three, and are second bottom of the Premiership with just 10 points from 12 games.

"There's no denying we're in a wee bit of a rut right now, and it's frustrating, but that's all it is," Martindale said.

"If you go over previous seasons, you'll probably find that there's been bigger ruts than what we're going through at this point in time that we've managed to come out of.

"A couple of seasons ago we had frustrating form at the start of the season and had just 13 points from 16 games. We were in a bad rut but we missed out on the top six on matchday 33 with the last kick of the ball.

"For teams at our level, the most difficult thing to find is consistency. We will find it at some stage during the season but when we'll find it is difficult because there are a lot of variables that can affect the outcome of a game."

Livingston face a tough test as they bid to stop the rot, with their next two matches at home to Rangers on Sunday and then away to in-form St Mirren the following weekend.

"I'm under no illusions about how hard the next two games are going to be," Martindale added.

"We're playing second and third so that shows you how big the task ahead is."

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After four defeats in a row Livingston will be hoping their luck changes when they host Rangers on Sunday.

If you were David Martindale, what changes would you make to the team? Make yourself the manager and choose your Livi XI here.