David Martindale's Livingston host Dundee in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.
Would you make changes to the side that lost 3-1 at Kilmarnock last time out?
Pick your Livi team here.
Livingston manager David Martindale insists that the inconsistency of most teams in the Scottish Premiership shows the competitive nature of the league.
Just three points separate Hearts in fourth and Ross County in 11th, with no team other than the Old Firm able to win more than half their league games this season.
“There are two ways to look at it,” Martindale said. “We could look at it and say, ‘teams are struggling’, but I think it’s testament to the teams that are in the league.
“It’s more competitive so it’s more difficult for teams, including ourselves, to go out and string together that run, that momentum, that you need.
“Everybody probably outside the Old Firm at this point in time is more than capable of taking points off one another so it’s a really competitive environment.
“We’re a small league, there’s only 12 teams. Take the big two out of the league and everybody else is battling for points off one another.
“If you go to England there are maybe four teams fighting for the title out of 20 teams in the league, so percentage-wise it’s probably very similar.
“I think it is a really competitive league. I think you’ll see a lot of chopping and changing of league positions in the coming weeks and months and nobody’s going to know what’s going on until probably matchday 33 (when the league splits).
“I think sometimes we can look at these things as a negative but I genuinely see it as a positive.”
Image source, SNS
Stuart Barrie, Livingston fan
It was always going to be a tough game at Killie in the so-called El Plastico. Derek McInnes' side have beaten the Old Firm already this season on their patch so it was more in hope than expectation we went to Ayrshire.
The hope didn’t last too long as we were behind quite quickly. We did pull one back from another expertly taken penalty from goal machine Sean Kelly but Killie quickly swatted us aside to notch another couple of goals.
I’ve seen a few Livi fans say it was a performance that was akin to our disastrous end of season run. Even manager David Martindale said we were bullied in the game. That’s got to be the worrying thing - for Livi to lose the physical battle this easily. Sure, other teams know what we’re about and up the ante playing us but that shouldn’t stop us playing with the intensity and application we are renowned for.
Next up for Livi are Dundee, who are only three points behind us, so we really need put a bit of distance between us in the table. There’s a good rivalry between the two teams and a wee bit of history from when we relegated them so this will definitely be a game we will need to have the sleeves rolled up and the approach set to ‘get stuck in’.
Livingston boss David Martindale reckons Kyle Vassell’s storming performance at Rugby Park was reminiscent of Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes at his Lions peak.
Vassell’s double helped Killie triumph 3-1 for their first Premiership win since the opening day.
"I thought Vassell was really good for Kilmarnock,” said Martindale.
"There were flashes of big Lyndon Dykes when he played for us. He was winning aerial duels, he was roughing up centre-halves and linking play.
"I don't think we did any of that ourselves until we put Joel Nouble up top with Kurtis Guthrie. Kurtis got a couple of flicks and Joel got a couple of runs into their box.
"Their forward line managed the game better than us."
Martindale hopes Obileye and Mo Sangare - who went off during the second half at Rugby Park – won’t be out too long.
He added: "I think Ayo will be okay. We missed Ayo against a side who ask a lot of questions of your backline.
"Mo had an injury, I think it's his calf. He was away on international duty but only played 90 minutes."
Image source, SNSKyle Vassell's first goal put Kilmarnock 2-1 up in their win over Livingston
Were you at Rugby Park on Saturday or did you follow the match elsewhere?
Either way, want your views on the game – have your say here.
Livingston manager David Martindale: "I don't think we deserved anything from the game. Kyle Vassell was the best player on the park and bullied us at times.
"Their back three managed the game a lot better than our back three. I don't think we won enough aerial duels or second balls. At this level you have to do better than we did.
"We got ourselves back in the game, but then we lose the set-play just before half time which is really disappointing.
"It's going to be a difficult season. From fourth place down, the league will change constantly. We'll take the defeat on the chin and come back ready to go next Saturday."
Image source, SNSNick McPheat, BBC Scotland
David Martindale will be disappointed his side could not build on an impressive win over Motherwell a fortnight ago, especially given their impressive form in this fixture.
Without Ayo Obileye in the centre of defence, the away side struggled with balls into the box, while at the other end their attacking play was non-existent for much of the game.
Midfielder Kyle Magennis (hamstring) is Kilmarnock's only absentee. Rory McKenzie, Liam Donnelly and Marley Watkins all return.
Mikey Devlin, Cristian Montano and Danny Lloyd are all back in contention for Livingston. Michael Nottingham is close to a comeback following an Achilles problem.
Image source, SNSAll SPFL clubs will show support of the Show Racism the Red Card’s match actions campaign at this weekend’s games.
Show Racism the Red Card is the UK’s leading anti-racism education charity, working within schools, workplaces, sports, and community organisations to educate children, young people, and adults on challenging prejudice and stereotypes.
Billy Singh, from Show Racism the Red Card, said: “We are delighted with the support for anti-racism that exists within Scottish football and are very proud of our upcoming match actions.
“However the work must continue, we call on our supporters to continue to challenge racism.
“It is a shared responsibility across the game, from dressing rooms to boardrooms, and from stadiums to social media, to ensure that an anti-racism ethos is maintained throughout the year."
Image source, SNSCeltic's squad showed their support for the campaign in training on Friday
Image source, SNSDavid Martindale has hailed Derek McInnes as “one of the best managers in Scotland” and says Kilmarnock are now moulded in his image.
McInnes, whose side host Martindale’s Livingston on Saturday, clinched promotion and consolidated Killie's place back in the Premiership in his first 18 months at Rugby Park.
"I think Derek is one of the best managers in Scotland and there is a reflection on the park because of that,” said Martindale.
"He has a structure and philosophy and you are now probably seeing more of an imprint in terms of it's Del's team. He has had a couple of windows to bring players in he is looking for.
"I played against his Aberdeen teams and found them hugely frustrating at times.
"He has had that bit of budget to allow him to bring better quality players at the top end of the park.
"He knows Scottish football inside out, he has played at a very, very good level and you can see that.
"His teams are always well coached, difficult to break down but pose an attacking threat, and I think you can see that in this Kilmarnock team."
The SPPFL has reported record turnover and payments to clubs.
The latest SPFL accounts show a 6% rise in turnover to £41.9m, with fees to clubs going up by a similar amount to £31.7m.
Total distributions to clubs went up to £35.8m, in addition to the £2.6m net gate receipts distributed to the clubs in the last four of the Viaplay Cup.
Premiership clubs will also benefit from higher UEFA solidarity payments of £3.6m.
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: "Especially in light of the ongoing economic challenges, today's figures are testament to the continuing popularity of Scottish football and the growing demand from broadcasters and other partners."
The league recently announced that title sponsor cinch was taking up an option to end its five-year deal two years early at the end of this season.
Image source, SNS
Image source, SNSDavie Martindale expects to reaffirm his commitment to Livingston by signing a contract, but says he is no "major rush".
The Livi boss, who has enjoyed a 10-year association with the club, is working without a deal this season but will meet with new owner John McIlvogue to thrash out terms.
"I don't need a contract to safeguard my decision," Martindale said before the weekend trip to face Kilmarnock.
"Livingston has been very, very good for my life and career, so a contract really doesn't mean a lot to me. I would never walk out on this club.
"If someone chaps the door or calls me, it's still going to be Livingston's decision whether Davie Martindale remains manager of Livingston or Davie Martindale moves on. It'll be led by the people in the building.
"I probably need to sign a contract but I'm not in any major rush to do so. I will sit down with John, it's just trying to get that ideal moment."
Livingston manager David Martindale has been addressing the media before his side's Scottish Premiership return against Kilmarnock.
Here are the key points from his press conference:
Martindale says his players must take "a lot of credit" for being unbeaten in the league against non-Old Firm clubs this season.
The manager said there will be an internal review after the first 11 games of the season to see if there is need for adaptation. It's a "constant evolution".
Martindale said he'll "never walk out on this club," while adding he's in "no rush" to sign a contract, despite knowing he probably should.
He believes his opposite number on Saturday, Derek McInnes, is "one of the best managers in Scotland".
The Livi boss is expecting a tough game against a Killie side who are "hard to break down and pose an attacking threat".
Martindale added Danny Lloyd, Cristian Montano and Mikey Devlin have all had a good training week and should be in contention for the trip to Rugby Park.
Image source, SNS
After their 2-0 win in May last season, Kilmarnock are looking to earn back-to-back Scottish top-flight victories over Livingston for the first time since February 2006.
Livingston had won their previous five meetings with Kilmarnock, before that 2-0 defeat at the end of last term.
Only St Johnstone (eight) are on a longer run without a win in the Scottish Premiership than Kilmarnock (seven – D4 L3). It’s Killie’s longest winless run in the competition since March 2021 (10 games).
After their 2-0 win over Motherwell, Livingston are looking to pick up back-to-back league victories for the first time since January of last season. The last time the Lions won consecutive league games without conceding was in September 2022 – the second game of which was a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock.
Against Motherwell last time out, Bruce Anderson scored his 25th Scottish Premiership goal, 20 of which have been for Livingston – now the outright most of any player for the club in the competition since their promotion in 2018 (Scott Pittman 19).
Livingston travel to Rugby Park on Saturday to face Kilmarnock following the international break.
They beat Motherwell 2-0 in their last outing and David Martindale will be wanting a similar result this weekend.
If you were the manager, would you make any changes? Pick your XI here.
Stuart Barrie, Livingston fan
The international break (huge well done to Lyndon Dykes and the boys on qualifying) gives you a good chance to assess where you are and what can be changed moving forward.
With eight games played Livi are sitting pretty in sixth with two wins and four draws. The two defeats came at the hands of the Old Firm behemoths which isn’t too shabby, and those games account for seven of the 12 goals against.
Despite losing Jack Fitzwater this season we’ve been solid defensively and Mikey Devlin has been a great addition. He’s been missing of late so getting him back will help shore up the defence.
James Penrice has been brilliant playing on the left in defence since Cristian Montano got injured. Finding a way to get Penrice and Montano playing together is going to be a conundrum for the boss David Martindale to solve as both provide a strong attacking threat.
It’s not quite the puzzle of having Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney together but I think we can have a strong left flank that’s also an offensive weapon if we can work this out.
Perhaps one of the brightest spots is the form of Bruce Anderson, our top goal-scorer with six goals. He’s been really sharp this season. Our owner will hopefully be finding a way of securing Anderson beyond this season when his deal is up.
A lot of Livi fans are saying we’ve not seen the best of big Joel Nouble this season too, he’s not been quite the same threat as before so maybe resting up a week or two will help him find his form.
Daniel Mackay was sensational in our last game, so I’d like to see him get a run in the team. Maybe we could be utilising Stephen Bradley better too. He’s just been called up to the Scotland U21s so he’s clearly a player. The former Hibs winger has been great in flashes but tends to fade so if he can find consistency it could be the ammunition for Anderson to get even more gaols.
Sharpening up our attack will help us find a way to convert a few draws into wins then that will really help us kick on this season.
It’s still all about survival for us but if we can keep going as we are then maybe we can allow ourselves to dream of that elusive top-six place.
Livingston's Luiyi de Lucas started at the heart of Dominican Republic's three-man defence as they hammered Barbados 5-0 away from home in the CONCACAF Nations League.
The 29-year-old centre-half earned his 11th cap as his side remain second, three points behind Nicaragua, who won 3-0 away to Montserrat, in Group B of League B.
Amid Livingston's more-than-solid start to the Premiership season lie some concerning defensive stats.
The 12 goals conceded by David Martindale's side is the highest total in the division along with Hibs and Ross County.
And the fact Livi have an expected goals against of just 8.46 suggests they have been shipping strikes they should be keeping out
Defensive sturdiness has been a foundation of the club's ability to punch above its weight in the top flight in recent years, especially as they don't blow teams away.
At the top end of the pitch, Livi are slightly underperforming their XG of 8.68, with eight goals scored in eight league games, while their 22 shots on target is the third lowest, and only Dundee have had fewer than the Lions' 134 touches in the opposition box.
Striker Joel Nouble's importance to the team is highlighted in the fact only two players - Celtic's Daizen Maeda and Matty Kennedy of Kilmarnock - trump his haul of winning possession in the opposition half eight times, while he also ranks highly for dribbles completed (14).
Another snapshot of Liv's tenacity is that Luiyi de Lucas and Jamie Brandon are league leaders in tackles with 25, while De Lucas' 18 interceptions and Jason Holt's 73 times possession won are also the highest of any Premiership player.
Image source, SNS
Image source, SNS
