Livingston

Neil McCann began his Kilmarnock reign by with a draw that keeps relegation rivals Livingston four points behind them at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

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Livingston manager David Martindale: "I'm disappointed with the two points dropped, that's how it feels. There's a lot to like within the performance in terms of control in the game, chance creation. Final third, we've got to be a wee bit cleaner up there.

"We feel it was a penalty [when the ball appeared to hit Brad Lyons' arm]. I'd love to hear why it wasn't. If I'm wrong on the penalty, I'm wrong, I can take that on the chin.

"I felt Don [Robertson, the referee] had a poor game. Big Brooklyn [Kabangolo] gets a yellow card really, really early on in the game and it kind of forced us into making changes. I don't think it's a yellow card.

"Lewis Smith gets a strong tackle on him 23, 25 yards from the opponent's goal and it's not a yellow card but our centre-back brings Brucie [Anderson] down on the touchline, he puts it out for a throw-in 50, 60 yards from goal. The inconsistencies never helped us.

"The goal was fantastic. There was a lot to like in the goal. Disappointed with the goal we lose. We've got to do better with the first contact. We're giving cheap, cheap goals away to the opposition. Not defending our box well enough."

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Livingston chairman Calvin Ford is "not concerned" about the possibility of relegation, despite the side's place at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

David Martindale's side prop up the Scottish Premiership, having played 20 of their 38 fixtures, four points below Saturday's visitors Kilmarnock, who have played 21.

Livi have recruited midfielder Scott Arfield and forward Alex Tamm so far this January transfer window and Ford says, "we're going to keep looking".

"We're certainly looking at a couple more before the end of the window," Ford told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

"How concerned am I? I'm not concerned. It's halfway through the season. We brought in a couple of players that I'm really excited about.

"If you look back at many of the games that we were in, boy, how many did we lose in the last five or 10 minutes? It's unbelievable the amount of points that I feel that we could've had.

"I have complete belief in this squad, in the players, in the staff. I feel great right now."

The American would not give specific figures when asked about how much he was willing to invest in the January transfer window but said: "I knew the passion and the drive and the desire when I got into it.

"We were the last team up. We're battling for our lives and it starts today. It's 2026, we're turning over a new leaf right now and I'm excited. My passion, my optimism, my belief in Davie in this team has never wavered.

"Has anything surprised me? No. I knew that it was going to be a challenge. I knew what I was getting in to when I did it and I still love it, I'm still thrilled about it."

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Livingston could hand debuts to veteran midfielder Scott Arfield and Estonia striker Alex Tamm.

Cammy Kerr is also pushing for a belated debut after recovering from injury, but Aidan Denholm, Shane Blaney (both hamstring) and Adam Montgomery (calf) remain out. Macaulay Tait returns after being unable to face parent club Hearts last weekend.

Kilmarnock midfielder David Watson is suspended while Tom Lowery and Marley Watkins are doubts.

Max Stryjek (heart), Kyle Magennis (knee), Jamie Brandon (ankle/groin), Djenairo Daniels (knee) and Matty Kennedy (hip) remain out.

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• This will be Neil McCann's first Scottish Premiership game as manager of Kilmarnock, and first at all in the competition since he lost 2-1 to Killie in his final game in charge of Dundee in October 2018.

• McCann is looking to become the first manager to win his first top-flight match with Kilmarnock since Paul McDonald as interim in October 2017 (2-0 v Partick Thistle), while the last permanent appointment to do so was Jim Jefferies in March 2002 (3-2 v Dundee).

• Livingston have only lost one of their past eight Scottish Premiership home games against Kilmarnock (W5 D2), winning three of their last four (D1) since a 3-1 defeat in October 2020.

• Kilmarnock have lost both of their past two league games against newly-promoted opposition, both to Falkirk in November (3-1) and December (1-0). Killie last suffered three successive top-flight defeats to promoted clubs in May 2009 (three in a row to Hamilton).

• Livingston are winless in 18 league games (D5 L13), their longest ever run in the top flight. Their tally of nine points is the lowest any side have had from their opening 20 games of a Scottish top-flight campaign since Partick Thistle in 2003-04 (also nine).

• Kilmarnock are winless in 14 league games (D3 L11), their longest run since also going 14 without a win from September 1999 to February 2000.

Image source, Getty

Alex Tamm is relishing the prospect of going up against his Estonia team-mate Michael Schjonning-Larsen if he makes his Livingston debut in Saturday's relegation showdown with Kilmarnock.

The 24-year-old striker, capped 19 times, this week joined the Lions on loan from Slovenian top-flight side Olimpija Ljubljana until the end of the season.

"One of my friends from the national team joined Kilmarnock and so it's really exciting," Tamm said of Estonia defender Schjonning-Larsen, who joined Killie this month from Levadia Tallinn.

"There is also the old Motherwell striker, Henri Anier, who I'm also really close to. Before joining here, I spoke with him about everything and he said this league would really fit me well.

"That helped me get to the final decision. They were really encouraging words towards me and so in the end, it made it easier to make the decision."

Tamm, who hopes his move to Livi will keep him in the Estonia squad, believes his "workrate" can help his new team in their quest to get off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

"I would describe myself as a player who gives a lot to the team and through that, I know that I will get my chances as a striker," he said.

"I'm two feet on the ground always, really trying to help the team, and my aim here is to help the team achieve its goals and then I know that through that, I can help myself.

"I believe that I'm really dangerous in the box, I'm really aggressive. I put in a lot of metres every game, I have the capacity to run and help the team in as many ways as possible and I believe that I'm a good finisher."

We asked for your views on what business Livingston need to do during this January transfer window.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Malcolm: We need a goalscorer. An old-fashioned poacher - maybe two. Heads held high is great but it doesn't get us points. A handful of really good performances so far but not enough goals. Oh, and did I mention we need a goalscorer?

Jaimie: We look a mess in defence and struggle to capitalise on chances. I think we need a creative midfielder who can get balls into our strikers and some more cover at the back.

Matt: The one thing that was patently clear from the performance at Hearts was that Livingston are crying out for a natural finisher. For all his excellent hold-up play and effort on Saturday, Tete Yengi showed again that getting the goals required to stay in the league is probably not something that should be placed on his list of responsibilities.

Malky: I honestly believe like a lot of other people who watch Livi, that we've got a squad that's capable of surviving in the top flight. But again being brutally honest, it's the leadership failing us and it really really hurts to say this.

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Estonia striker Alex Tamm has joined Livingston on loan from Olimpija Ljubljana.

The 24-year-old with 19 caps could be available for Saturday's home game against Kilmarnock, subject to international transfer clearance and Scottish FA approval.

Tamm moved to the Slovenian capital from Nomme Kalju in January 2025 and scored four goals in nine appearances for Olimpija.

He spent six seasons with Nomme Kalju, hitting 87 goals from his 171 outings.

Rock-bottom Livingston are winless in 18 games and have their work cut out to secure Premiership survival.

The club already signed midfielder Emmanuel Danso and winger Joshua Zimmerman in this month's transfer window - but where else do they need to strengthen?

And who would you like to see brought in?

Tell us your thoughts here.

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Former Falkirk and Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield, 37, is in talks to join Livingston. (Glasgow Times), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Stuart Barrie
Fan writer

A win at the home of the league leaders was always going to be a tall order, however a respectable performance was essential after the drab display against Dundee United.

While we didn't get any points from Tynecastle, we left with our heads held high and dare I say the manager may have got a few Livi fans back onside too.

Debutant Brooklyn Kabongolo was a stand-out. The big centre-half was assured on the ball and aggressive winning it back.

To be honest he was completely off my radar on loan at Arbroath. I'm glad the manager remembered him as the spell away to get some game-time has really helped the lad.

Our two new signings - Emmanuel Danso and Joshua Zimmerman - got on the pitch but other than clattering a Hearts player they didn't do too much. I've seen enough effort to be hopeful both will slot in and give a freshness to the squad.

The second-half showing was one of the best we've put in for a while. With better finishing we could have walked away with at least a point.

Big Tete Yengi had a decent game and his efforts up top were commendable. However, his goal return - two in 20 games - is a lot lower than everyone would like. Perhaps it's time for Robbie Muirhead to get a run at being the attack focal point as he was so effective doing it last season.

With the game against St Mirren postponed, it is now all eyes on a massive match against Kilmarnock, who will have Neil McCann in charge for the first time.

We've had our wake-up call, things weren't good enough recently and it's time to start delivering before it's too late.

Livingston are close to signing Olimpija Ljubljana striker Alex Tamm on loan until the end of the season. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

Watch highlights as Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts extend their advantage at the top with a narrow win over bottom side Livingston.

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Livingston manager David Martindale: "We rode our luck in the first 25 minutes. They worked on overloads down our left hand-side we couldn't get any pressure on the ball.

"Deservedly we went in 1-0 down. Then second half we were good value for money.

"We got pressure on the ball and controlled parts of the game and created good chances.

"The boys have got to take a lot of self belief and confidence from that. We didn't pick points up but Hearts are six clear and league leaders for a reason.

"They have a great squad, good management team behind them and a top club on the up.

"So I'm disappointed we didn't take something but looking at the performance there were a lot of positives."

The Livingston boss reiterates he expects two signings in the door by next weekend.

Hearts moved six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a hard-fought victory over bottom side Livingston in a game of contrasting halves at Tynecastle.

Have your say on Livingston's display.

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Livingston manager David Martindale says he doesn't know if his players have what it takes to survive in the Scottish Premiership after Tuesday night's 3-1 defeat to Dundee United.

Promoted Livi remain rock bottom of the Scottish Premiership with just one win in 19 games so far this term.

They travel to face league leaders Hearts on Sunday as pressure continues to mount but Martindale is starting to question the belief in his squad.

"There's going to have to be change," the Livi boss said.

"It's either me or the players, simple. Tuesday was the first time I seriously questioned the group of players. Everybody, including myself.

"That looked like a team that accepted being in a relegation [fight], or going to get relegated. I'm not accepting it, staff are not accepting it.

"That was the worst start we have had in the league this year, the worst performance at home. Second [best] all over the park. Bullied at the back, bullied up front, bullied in midfield.

"I've not got all the answers but you have got to question the mentality within the changing room.

"Once you cross over that white line, you have got to have the passion, that aggression to go and win a game of football. I don't think it was there.

"You've got to run, you've got tackle, you've got to have energy and desire, and I thought there were a lot of players on the park that lacked that."

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Hearts could hand new Dutch right-back Jordi Altena his debut. Pierre Landry Kabore is still on international duty and Calem Nieuwenhof, Ageu, Finlay Pollock (all hamstring) and Sander Kartum (hip) are all sidelined.

Livingston could include new signings Emmanuel Danso and Joshua Zimmerman.

They remain without Cammy Kerr (groin), Aidan Denholm, Shane Blaney (both hamstring) and Adam Montgomery (calf).