Livingston

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.

We asked for your views on Livingston's Scottish Premiership fixtures and how they will be faring after 10 games.

Here's what some of you said:

Paul: I believe Livingston will hit the ground running this season. I expect us to pick up points against Kilmarnock and Falkirk to start things off. We'll likely lose at Parkhead, but there's a good chance we could get something from the Hearts game at home. By October, I'd say we'll be sitting mid-table.

John: Top-six finish, no problem.

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Requiring clubs to have grass pitches in the Scottish Premiership "is about standards and criteria", says SPFL chief operating officer Calum Beattie.

Top-flight clubs voted to phase out artificial surfaces in time for the 2026-27 season.

Kilmarnock have announced plans to return to grass at Rugby Park in time for that deadline, while promoted sides Falkirk and Livingston have recently put down new synthetic pitches.

Beattie says the league will "engage" with Falkirk, Livingston and Kilmarnock over their long-term plans.

And he said on BBC Sportsound: "This debate isn't just about artificial pitches, this is about standards and criteria across the league.

"In England, you've got to have a grass surface in League Two to get promoted into professional football.

"The league recognises the place for artificial surfaces in the game in Scotland, the community benefits are clear.

"It's whether or not they have a place at the top table of the game in Scotland and that is where the debate has gathered pace over the last couple of years."

Responding to a question over whether there had been any legal challenge from Falkirk about the rules on pitches, Beattie explained: "There's been no legal challenge because we're working with them about what we can do to help them address the challenges they've got with their surface.

"I've got real sympathy for Falkirk. They put down their artificial pitch in full compliance with the rules at the time and they had a legitimate expectation that they could've used that for a longer period of time.

"Livingston, clearly put down a new artificial surface this summer. That came off the back of us doing a spot check at Livingston. It became clear that their surface would not meet the testing that is required in the Premiership.

"Livingston didn't have a choice for this season. In the Premiership, there's already a higher bar that's applied for testing and that is every Premiership club with an artificial surface has got to pass spot checks unannounced at three points during the season.

"They then had a decision to make. They had permission to use an artificial pitch this coming season. From our perspective, grass would've been the preferred option.

"But Livingston, rightly from their perspective, had the option to put down a new one and we'll be engaging with them about their wider plans going forward."

Opta have crunched the numbers to rank the difficulty of each Scottish Premiership club's first four fixtures of the 2025-26 season.

According to their data model, St Mirren have the toughest start, followed by two clubs helmed by new managers, Dundee and Motherwell.

As for the easiest, Hibernian and capital rivals Hearts should got off to a flier, right?

Take a look below to see where your side places...

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Aside from the first game of the season against Kilmarnock, all dates are subject to change as a result of broadcast and other requirements.

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See Livingston's full fixture list here

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It didn't take long for Livingston to be back dining at the top table in Scottish football, and they've certainly been served a feast.

After kicking off away to Kilmarnock on Saturday, 2 August and welcoming last season's Championship rivals Falkirk to West Lothian one week later, David Martindale's side have - on paper - a wretched run.

The often disputed, but often decided 'big six' are all up next.

A trip to champions Celtic on Saturday, 23 August is followed by the visit of Hearts one week later.

When the Premiership resumes on Saturday, 13 September, a trip to Aberdeen awaits. Two weeks later, Rangers visit the Home of the Set Fare Arena.

October sees trips to Dundee United and Hibs. Gulp.

The Lions head into Christmas on the back of a trek through to St Mirren on Saturday, 20 December while Celtic visit a week later and United three days after that.

And it's a trip up to Tannadice on Saturday, 11 April for Livi's final pre-split fixture.

Looking at the fixtures, where do you think Livingston will be after 10 games? Tell us here.

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Livingston's first Scottish Premiership game after a year in the second tier will be a trip to Kilmarnock.

The match will take place on Saturday, 2 August at 15:00 BST, with Livi's first home fixture against fellow newly-promoted side Falkirk on Saturday 9, August at 15:00.

See Livi's Scottish Premiership fixtures in full here.

Where do you think David Martindale's side will be after 10 games and what do you make of how the fixtures have fallen? Share your views here.

Livingston have rejected a bid from Latvian champions RFS for goalkeeper Jerome Prior. (Sky Sports), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

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Andrew Shinnie has signed on for another season at Livingston.

The 35-year-old has scored 13 goals in 158 Livi appearances since joining in 2021.

Shinnie helped David Martindale's side secure promotion to the Scottish Premiership via the play-offs in season 2024-25.

The former Rangers, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Birmingham City, Luton Town and Charlton Athletic attacker was capped once by Scotland in 2012 and has 504 club appearances in total.

No sooner does the season finish and we start looking forward to key dates for the next campaign - and that will be a lot easier to do on Friday when the Scottish Premiership fixtures are released.

That's right, that special day in the calendar is almost here already. The day when you'll learn details of derby fixtures, Christmas opponents and the run-in to the split.

This page will bring you all the fixtures when they drop at 09:00 BST on Friday and we'll be giving you the chance to have your say on how things look.

The new campaign kicks off on the weekend of Saturday, 2 August and will conclude on Sunday, 17 May 2026.

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Goalkeeper Jack Hamilton has agreed a two-year deal to stay with newly-promoted Livingston.

The 31-year-old, who was Livi's back-up keeper for their last two seasons in the top flight, returned to West Lothian in January on a short-term deal until the summer after spending the first half of last season with Ross County.

Despite being restricted to an unused substitute role behind number one Jerome Prior as David Martindale's side secured promotion from the Championship via the play-offs, Hamilton has been given the opportunity to remain with the Lions.

Latvian champions RFS have offered Livingston around £150,000 for 29-year-old goalkeeper Jerome Prior. (Daily Record), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.