Livingston

ARE HEARTS DESTINED TO WIN THE TITLE? 🏆

It was a seismic weekend in the hunt for the Scottish Premiership crown. Are you rejoicing, are you quietly optimistic, or are you chucking it?

Join the debate with Ray Bradshaw at 18:00 BST TONIGHT on the BBC Sport Scottish Football YouTube channel, external to give us your views in the chat. The show is fully interactive, so have your say.

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Watch the Sportscene team discuss Scott Pittman's goal and Livingston's performance in their 2-0 win over St Mirren, just their second victory of the season and their first since August.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

GK: Jerome Prior - Livingston

Five big saves of every variety to keep St Mirren at bay as Livingston finally earned a long-awaited victory.

RB: Stephen O'Donnell - Motherwell

Having a wonderful season under Jens Berthel Askou. Asked to play on the left and wasn't an issue. Two assists for the former Scotland international, who can easily slot into right-back for me here.

CB: Ryan McGowan - Livingston

Did all the unfashionable graft a centre-back has to do at times to earn his side a seldom seen three points.

CB: Kieran Tierney - Celtic

Seven goals for club and country this season. Another rasper against Falkirk.

LB: Emmanuel Longelo - Motherwell

Unleashed in a further forward role than left-back, but he can slot in there easily for me here. What a player he has been all season. Two huge goals as Motherwell underlined their kingmaker credentials in this incredible title race.

CM: Blair Spittal - Hearts

Off the bench to score what could be one of the most pivotal winners of the season for Hearts at Easter Road.

CM: Callum Slattery - Motherwell

Back from suspension and exemplified the quality Motherwell showed in abundance at Ibrox.

RW: Sabah Kerjota - Hearts

The Albanian was a game-changer as Derek McInnes brought him on to find the path through the stubborn Hibs defence. Kerjota duly delivered, not once but twice. His contribution to the Hearts title push was immense.

AM: Martin Boyle - Hibernian

In his last Edinburgh derby he took his goal superbly, couldn't have caught it any sweeter.

LW: Will Ferry - Dundee United

Hadn't scored a single goal for Dundee United until his strike against Celtic a few weeks ago. Now he can't stop. Great work rate and quality again from the wide man as he made all the difference in the Dundee derby.

ST: Daizen Maeda - Celtic

Like a phoenix rising from the flames, is Maeda rising at just the right time to fire Celtic to the title? Celtic's opening two goals came from his tenacity and pressing, and their third - Maeda's second - was instinctive striker play.

Watch all the highlights as Livingston picked up their second victory of the season and handed St Mirren's survival hopes a blow with a 2-0 win in Paisley. Available to UK users only.

Livingston manager Marvin Bartley: "Hopefully the beginning of a miracle. It's one game at a time. We need to produce our best at both ends of the pitch and the players have managed to do that today.

"The players have given me everything every day, it's not just about the match on a Saturday. The wins have run away from us, but hopefully this win can give them a lift and belief as well.

"We have to grow in belief, when you've been on the run we've been on it's difficult mentally. We also have to keep our feet grounded. We're still bottom of the league. But all we can do is train well and prepare for Aberdeen.

"It's not about me. I come in to work, work as hard as I can preparing the players as best as I can, and hope they produce on a Saturday.

"I've never seen them down in the dumps, because they know they have to work hard. It's a constant for them. They don't get too high or low.

"It's a fantastic feeling at this moment in time. It's only our third clean sheet of the season. I have to give a massive shout out to Neil Hastings, because they saw what was happening in the first half, articulated what was happening, and the players took it up a notch."

Livingston picked up just their second Scottish Premiership win of the season - and first since August - as they beat St Mirren to keep their extremely slim survival hopes alive.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

Image source, SNS

St Mirren will have either 17-year-old Grant Tamosevicius, who has signed a contract extension after making his debut in Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Celtic, or Ross Sinclair, who has arrived on a seven-day emergency loan from St Johnstone, in goal against Livingston.

It follows Sunday's injury to Ryan Mullen, while Shamal George already sidelined.

Malik Dijksteel, Keanu Baccus and Marcus Fraser are out for the season, but forward Dan Nlundulu could be back.

Livingston forwards Connor McLennan and Jeremy Bokila are still out, but midfielder Aidan Denholm is closer to featuring after recovering a long-term hamstring injury.

Image source, SNS

Marvin Bartley insists Livingston's focus will be only on three points when they travel to St Mirren on Saturday with relegation staring them in the face.

With five post-split Premiership fixtures remaining, Livi are bottom of the table, 12 points behind Kilmarnock and 14 behind the Buddies.

The West Lothian side, who have only one league win this season, could find themselves relegated this weekend if results do not go their way but manager Bartley stressed the need to keep fighting.

He said: "We definitely understand the situation we're in. The boys and the staff and I understand that. You have to go and play the 90 minutes.

"I think if you start thinking of permutations of what could happen, it adds pressure. We're already in a real difficult position, which we understand.

"So we have to go and put our best foot forward and like I said, we understand the pressure and the permutations of things.

"But we'll just be playing the 90 minutes, not worrying about anything else. Focus on what you can control which is the game against St Mirren.

"In terms of pressure, I was very strange in a sense where I enjoyed the pressure. I would say to the players to thrive underneath it.

"There's a lot bigger pressures in life than you feel as a footballer, going out there to fight for three points is a privileged position.

"That's what I'll be saying to my players because it's only natural that you're going feel some sort of pressure and some sort of nerves.

"It's about putting that into a positive energy in way it can help you perform, rather than fearing it."

Image source, SNS

• St Mirren have lost just one of their past 16 Scottish Premiership meetings with Livingston (W7 D8), going down 1-0 away from home in February 2024.

• Livingston won their first-ever Premiership visit to St Mirren 2-0 in August 2018, but have since failed to win 10 such trips in the competition (D4 L6), losing their past four in a row and failing to score in their latest three.

• Depending on Kilmarnock's result at Aberdeen, Livingston could be relegated this weekend should they fail to beat St Mirren. Since the Premiership rebranded in 2013, they would be only the second newly-promoted side to be relegated from the division, after Dundee in 2021-22.

• St Mirren haven't won their first game after the Premiership split in any of their past five seasons (D1 L4), although their last win on matchday 34 in the competition came against Livingston in 2018-19 (3-1).

• Livingston have dropped 25 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season; since the competition's rebrand in 2013, the record in a single campaign is 28 by Hamilton in 2017-18 and Dundee in 2024-25.

Image source, SNS

Aidan Denholm recalled the sheer frustration of a second debilitating injury as he gets set to resume his Livingston career following an eight-month absence.

After signing from Hearts last August, the 22-year-old midfielder sustained a hamstring injury on his debut against Kelty Hearts in the League Cup and went under the knife for a second time, after suffering a similar injury playing on loan at Ross County from the Jambos, which kept him out for the second half of last season.

Prior to Saturday's trip to St Mirren, the first of the five post-split Premiership fixtures and where Livi could officially be relegated if results go against them, fit-again Denholm summed up his season to date.

"Probably one word – frustration," he said.

"Signing here to kick on in my career as obviously I got injured on loan at Ross County and then first game it happens again, which is incredibly frustrating.

"But this rehab has been a lot smoother and I've not had any hiccups so far, touch wood. The club's been different class for me and supported me through it.

"It's not easy having two surgeries at the age of 22. Before then I was pretty fit and never had any real injuries, so the season has been pretty frustrating and watching the boys was even harder.

"Watching the boys train when you're in a leg brace and can't put your leg straight.

"I don't think anyone can play down that surgery is probably the hardest part, you can't do anything, you're bed-bound. I was in a brace for eight weeks. You can't straighten your leg.

"It was incredibly tough the second time around. My family have all been through it as well so it's not just me. They've had to deal with my moods and my girlfriend as well, she's had to put up with me."

Livi are bottom of the table, 12 points behind Kilmarnock and 14 behind St Mirren.

Denholm said: "It's been a difficult season for me personally and for the club.

"But we're not a million miles away and it's not done yet, so the approach is we go there and try to get three points."

We asked for your views on which player has been Livingston's biggest disappointment this season.

Here are some of your comments:

Ben: Alex Tamm. Another in a long list of Martindale signings that plays a handful of minutes, then never to be seen again. He did come with international experience, and a good age, but has barely featured in an awful squad. It's a good thing David Martindale isn't tasked with rebuilding the squad next season isn't it…

Derek: There's been a few disappointing performers, especially in the forward areas. I wouldn't like to single anyone out for this as the whole team really haven't got going this season, I'd tend to blame the board for not acting on the managerial change sooner when it was clear and obvious that the tactics weren't working.

Willie: Martindale by far.

Last week we asked for your Livingston player of the year - and goalkeeper Jerome Prior edged it.

Now we want to know the Livi player who has been the biggest disappointment in what has been a miserable season.

It could be a new signing who has underwhelmed or an existing squad member who has failed to kick on.

Share your thoughts here.

Image source, SNS

We asked for your views on Livingston's player of the season.

Here's what some of you said:

Brian: My player of the year is Scott Pittman. Always get 100 per cent from Scott, no matter who he is playing against. He is really Mr Livingston and I think naming a stand after him would not be over the top.

Craig: Jerome Prior has been excellent in goal despite the poor results. Lewis Smith has been the best outfield player by a country mile.

Malcolm: Livingston player of the year has to be Stevie May. Guaranteed to put in 110 per cent when he's on the pitch. If we're including loan players, he's closely followed by Macaulay Tait.

Derek: There's only really been one stand out performer for me and that's goalkeeper Prior. The guy has been excellent in a very poor, under-performing team. We'll be very, very lucky to see him at Livi next season.

It's been a far from glorious return to the top flight for Livingston.

They have mustered just one win, have languished in bottom spot for much of the campaign, and look doomed to the drop.

But have their been any impressive players in a lacklustre campaign?

We want to know who's been your Livingston player of the year. Tell us here

Stuart Barrie
Fan writer

Can we stop the season now, please?

I'm not sure there's any point pretending otherwise - we are relegated. Players and officials have to stay positive and show a path forward, but the reality is we are dead in the water.

The game against United pretty much sums up our season. We were second best for much of the first half, then played well for large parts of the second.

We could have won it and should have taken at least a point, but somehow managed to give away a daft penalty (quite a harsh decision) and walk away with nothing.

We may as well enjoy Lewis Smith while we can, as our best attacking threat will surely move on to another Premiership club when the axe falls on us.

The winger was our main attacking outlet again and is thriving under Marvin Bartley. His two goals got us right back into this game, but once again we shot ourselves in the foot.

The sad fact is after 33 games, we have won only one game - which was way back in August. We have drawn 16 games, conceded 66 goals and scored 35, leaving us with a paltry 16 points.

Weirdly, there's still a lot I've enjoyed. We've played well in spells and have been desperately unlucky not to get more points on the board.

In the dreadful 23-24 season when we were last relegated, we somehow amassed 25 points with five wins and 10 draws.

Even Carol Vorderman couldn't find a way to make the numbers stack up for us to survive this time.

I'd be quite happy to give up on this season and start planning for the next. I know there are lots of contractual shenanigans ahead, but we should already know who we have for next season and start working on a system to get us straight back up.

There's no point playing the retirement contingent or the players who have been no better than what we already had from January. It's time to get things in place for next season and face the reality of where we'll be.

Sportscene pundit Steven Naismith says Livingston defender Brooklyn Kabongolo took an unnecessary risk to concede the penalty which cost his team a point at Dundee United on Saturday.

Marvin Bartley's team were on course to win their first league game since August when Lewis Smith's double put them 2-1 up at Tannadice.

But Krisztias Keresztes equalised and Kabongolo then fouled Zac Sapsford, who converted the resulting penalty.

"When you're not in a great position, you can't take a risk and that's what he's done," former Scotland forward Naismith said. "Sapsford gets in, keeps it in play and it was a comfortable finish."

Naismith also praised head coach Jim Goodwin, despite United missing out on a top-half finish this season.

"Where they have been and the job Jim Goodwin has done, it's progression," he said. "They are building and when you take a step back, they are safe and can build for next season."

Although Livingston seem destined to be relegated this term, Naismith thinks Marvin Bartley has likely earned the chance to manage them in the Championship next season,

"Marvin Bartley has put his own stamp on it and he should keep his job and build if they go down," he said."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Kelle Roos (Kilmarnock): Not the finest all-round performance but came up clutch deep into stoppage time to deny Dundee from the spot and save a potentially priceless point for Killie.

Alexander Jensen (Aberdeen): Pushed back a little bit but impressed at wing-back against Hibernian. Tanked up and down the touchline and coped well when Hibs were trying to put him under pressure.

Krisztian Keresztes (Dundee United): Admittedly, not the finest weekend for defenders, but the substitute hauled United level with an important header to allow them to push on for a late win against Livingston.

Will Ferry (Dundee United): And here's the man who set him up. Ferry also opened the scoring with a superb solo goal at Tannadice.

Hyun-jun Yang (Celtic): Few in green and white impressed in a narrow win over St Mirren at Celtic Park, but the South Korean showed up again.

Nicolas Raskin (Rangers): For his second-half showing at Falkirk. The Belgium international was like a man possessed after the break with an abundance of fight, quality and creativity on show. Displayed his very best as Rangers ripped Falkirk apart in a bonkers second 45.

Beni Baningime (Hearts): Back alongside Cammy Devlin in the engine room and back pulling the strings for Hearts. A classy performance - again - in the crucial win over Motherwell.

Emmanuel Gyamfi (Aberdeen): Outside his needless incident with Hibs striker Owen Elding, for which he was shown a yellow card after a VAR review, the wide man was Aberdeen's biggest threat in one of his better performances for the Dons. Hooked balls in at every chance he could, something Stephen Robinson will be desperate to see more of.

Sabah Kerjota (Hearts): Came on in the 66th minute and immediately became Hearts' set-piece taker, whipping in inviting deliveries - including one that led to the second goal. His cameo performances have impressed to the point there is clamour for him to start the upcoming Edinburgh derby over Alexandros Kyziridis.

Kevin Nisbet (Aberdeen): The man grateful for those deliveries from Gyamfi. Kept his cool from the spot against his former side before smashing the much-needed second over the line... just. Big, big goals and an equally impressive all-round performance.

Lewis Smith (Livingston): Doing all he can to keep Livingston in the league, chipping in with another two goals. Even if the Lions are relegated, which is increasingly likely, Smith should remain in the top flight. One wouldn't think he'd be short of suitors.

Watch all five goals in United's win against Livi.

Image source, SNS

Marvin Bartley insists no-one at Livingston is ready to give up on retaining their Premiership status.

The rock bottom Lions stunned Dundee United at Tannadice when they took a 2-1 lead thanks to a Lewis Smith second-half double but they ultimately lost the game 3-2.

The result means Livingston are now 12 points adrift of 11th-placed Kilmarnock with just five games to go and 15 points left to play for.

However, boss Bartley is adamant the players will not be running up the white flag just yet.

The 39-year-old said: "They haven't given up and we won't allow them to give up.

"There were harsh words spoken at half-time because we needed a reaction from some individuals.

"Smithy was one of them because I didn't think he had the best of first halves.

"He got us 2-1 up but we have to be better in those moments afterwards."

Bartley added: "The manner of the goals, even the first goal, we throw ourselves to the floor and I'm massive on that not happening.

"The boys know it, we let him inside and then it goes through someone's legs.

"Just stand up and let the ball hit you, it's just a bit of leather with some air in it so you have to be braver in those situations."

Image source, SNS

Livingston manager Marvin Bartley told the club's social media account:

"It's a really tough one, especially with the manner of the goals we conceded today. It's difficult to take.

"I don't think Dundee United had to do too much today to score other than be a little bit stronger and a little bit more aggressive to get to the ball.

"Some stern words were said at half time and some tactical changes and I was happy with their reaction but if you concede three goals away from home it's almost impossible to get anything out of games.

"I felt the boys gave an awful lot today. They're hurting and the staff are as well, it's a hard one to take."

Zac Sapsford's stoppage-time penalty sealed an unlikely comeback victory for Dundee United to deny Livingston a first Scottish Premiership win since August and edge their apparently inevitable relegation even closer.

Read the full match report here.

Have your say on the match here.