Livingston

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David Martindale has tipped James Penrice to succeed at Hearts, and believes he is capable of going to “another level” beyond the Tynecastle club.

The Livi left-back has penned a pre-contract deal at Hearts and will join Steven Naismith's side in the summer.

“I can’t wait to get James Penrice back ready and playing for Livingston,” the Livi manager said. “I have got absolutely no qualms whatsoever about playing him.

“I think it’s a fantastic move for the lad. I sat James down three years ago and said ‘come to me, we’ll make you better, we’ll progress your career’, so when I found out Hearts were interested, I was delighted for him.”

Martindale joked that Livi are becoming a “feeder club” for the Tynecastle side, following a successful move by Craig Halkett and Alan Forrest in 2019 and 2022 respectively.

The Livi boss believes Penrice will follow in their footsteps and succeed after a move from Livingston to Hearts.

“James is more than capable of stepping up and dealing with it, I think James has got another level in him [beyond Hearts], I really do,” said Martindale.

“Sometimes players can underestimate the size of the job at Tynecastle, when you put that shirt on in front of those fans, it’s a big place to play football.

“It takes big players. I think it took Alan a wee while to settle but I think the staff and the fans can now see why Alan went to Hearts originally, he’s been brilliant for them.

“Robbie Neilson took him in originally and I think Naisy (Steven Naismith) has been very good for him, he’s kicked on this season.

“Craig Halkett took to Hearts like a duck to water. He had a difficult start to life at Hearts but he’s had the captain’s band a few times.

“When I look at the players that have left Livingston to go to Hearts, it does nothing but bring a smile to my face. I genuinely mean that. I’m disappointed I’m losing someone of James’ ability but I’m absolutely delighted for him.”

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• Celtic’s Matt O’Riley is the only player in the Scottish Premiership to have scored 10+ goals (11) and provided 10+ assists (10) this season. O’Riley has been involved in four goals in his last three starts for Brendan Rodgers’ side (one goal, three assists).

• Celtic suffered a 2-0 defeat to Hearts in their last away match and could suffer back-to-back away defeats in the league for the first time this season and for the first time ever under manager Brendan Rodgers.

• Livingston have lost six of their last 10 home matches in the Scottish Premiership (W1 D3), which is as many defeats as they suffered across their previous 27 league games at the Tony Macaroni Stadium.

• Celtic have won each of their last seven matches against Livingston across all competitions, scoring 2+ goals in all seven victories – a total of 20 goals (2.9 per match), with Celtic conceding just four goals across this run.

• Livingston have won just one of their last 14 Scottish Premiership meetings with Celtic (D4 L9), a 1-0 victory in September 2021 thanks to a goal from Andrew Shinnie.

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Livingston manager David Martindale says he takes full ownership of the club's current plight, but insists everyone is doing their utmost to avoid relegation.

The West Lothian outfit are rooted to the bottom of the Scottish Premiership, 10 points behind Ross County in 11th with eight games remaining.

Martindale revealed he and the players regularly have meetings regarding their struggles, but that ultimately, "actions speak louder than words".

“We have had that conversation with the group on multiple occasions," he said. "The players have had that conversation as a group on multiple occasions. Everybody in this club cares. Players, staff, we have all done everything we can.

“We are not out of it yet. I understand how difficult it is and understand how big that hole is we are in. All those things we talk about we have done them. But actions speak louder than words.

“I can’t sit here and point the finger at the players. I can’t sit here and point the fingers at the staff. I have to take responsibility for that.”

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Livingston manager David Martindale has been talking to the media before his side's Scottish Premiership clash with Celtic on Sunday.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Says the job this season has been even more difficult than he envisaged, and says "until the club gets cleaned up in terms of its ownership", external investment won't be possible.

• Regular meetings are held with players about the predicament they are in, and says "everybody cares".

• When asked how they can beat Celtic, he says the simple answer is to score more goals than they do.

• Martindale is disappointed by the news that Crawford Allan will step down as the Scottish FA's head of referee operations, but he is not surprised.

• Also added he is pleased for James Penrice, who has signed a pre-contract deal to sign for Hearts in the summer.

Livingston host Celtic in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, knowing they simply have to start winning games if they want to avoid relegation this season.

Who would you like to see start against the champions? Pick your Livi XI for the game here.

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Livingston have had a miserable season at both ends of the pitch.

David Martindale's side have scored the least amount of goals in the top flight (20), and conceded the most (52) - form that sees them 10 points adrift.

Livi have not troubled opponents from set-pieces or from wide positions, with a measly two goals from corners, one goal from a header and one goal assisted from a cross - all lows in this season's top flight.

This is despite Martindale bringing in 6ft 4in striker Tete Yengi in January, and 6ft 3in forward Joel Nouble playing 28 league games this season.

Just nine different players have scored for Livi in the Scottish Premiership this season - tied lowest in the division.

The stats at the other end of the park don't make for much better reading.

Only one other team (Dundee) have conceded more from crosses (12 to Livingston's 10), and they are tied for most goals conceded from open play (41, the same as Ross County).

Despite a battling performance against Celtic, their last two games (defeat in the Scottish Cup at Celtic Park and a loss to Hibs) have seen Livi ship seven goals.

Martindale will need to figure out how to improve in both attack and defence to have a hope of keeping his team in the top flight.

We asked you whether Livingston can pull off the great escape as we head into the final stretch of the season.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Malky: Livi have punched way above their weight the last few seasons in the Premiership, but time's up. I honestly believe if a new manager had came in with fresh ideas and enthusiasm in December, it might have been different.

We're firmly into the business end of the season.

For Livingston, the last part of the campaign will have to be something special to beat the drop. We want to know how you're feeling as we head into the final stretch.

Do you still have hope that your side can survive? Who will be the key players if a miracle is to happen? And what has been your biggest frustration about David Martindale's side this term?

Give us your thoughts.

Motherwell midfielder Blair Spittal and Livingston full-back James Penrice will join Hearts in the summer under freedom of contract. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

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Stuart Barrie
Fan writer

"A painful day in a painful season," said manager David Martindale after Livingston's 3-0 defeat to Hibs on Saturday, and no fan could argue with that statement.

A poor result, another poor performance and our poor season limps on. Our last (and only) away win in the league this season was at Easter Road and we’ve had some decent results against them in the past, so there was some optimism, especially following the performance against Celtic in the cup.

However, any hopes were blown away inside seven minutes as Hibs raced into a two-goal lead, before they added a third not long after.

There was a sickness bug sweeping through the club in the lead-up to this match, which is typical of this season. Just when we think we can turn things around and build on something positive, it all crashes back down.

Mathematically we can still stay in the league; realistically we need a miracle. I do admire Martindale’s belief that we can still do it. We will need that determination if we are to get results in the games coming up.

Next up, Celtic make the trip to West Lothian. I wouldn't be surprised if a few Livi fans stay in bed for Sunday’s lunchtime kick-off.

It’s likely we are playing for pride now but there’s probably a few players that won’t be at this level again so they should go out and show everyone how good they really can be.

We asked for your thoughts after Livingston's 3-0 defeat against Hibs.

Here's what you had to say:

Matt: David Martindale "takes the blame" for yesterday's dismal showing, but in truth if these were genuine sentiments he would have realised it was time to leave several weeks if not months ago. The continued peddling of "we've enough in the building to stay up" no longer holds any weight. The sooner the club act to prepare for the Championship the better.

Del: Players are unwilling to take responsibility. Many of them appear to be uncommitted to the club.

Malky: The manager says "I take the blame". We don't have to hear it Davie ,we already know it.

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• Myziane Maolida and Adam le Fondre has scored five goals this season (one in this game), no Hibs player has more in the Scottish Premiership.

• Livingston have failed to score in 15 of their 30 games, no team has failed to do so more often in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• Elie Youan has assisted seven goals this season (two in this game), more than any other Hibs player in the Scottish Premiership.

• Jordan Obita scored after just four minutes and 43 seconds, the fastest goal for Hibs in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• Hibs have scored in their last seven games in the Scottish Premiership, their joint longest scoring streak this season.

Were you at Easter Road or following the match from home? Either way, we want your views on the game – have your say here.

Livingston had battled a sickness bug in midweek which limited their training time and player availability. Perhaps the lingering effects of the illness contributed to a meek display, toothless in attack and shambolic in defence.

They have performed well in fits and starts, and spilled points through agonising late goals. But there was almost nothing for David Martindale to hang his hat on here, save the second-half clean sheet.

He has eight games left to preserve the top-flight status so very hard won and so stubbornly clung to.

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Hibernian: Marshall, Cadden, Fish, Bushiri, Obita, Triantis, Newell, Marcondes, Youan, Maolida, Le Fondre.

Substitutes: Wollacott, Hanlon, Levitt, Stevenson, Tavares, Mayenda, Moriah-Welsh, J MacIntyre, Whittaker.

Livingston: George, Brandon, Obileye, Sean Kelly, Montano, Carson, Stephen Kelly, Holt, Bradley, Nouble, Yengi.

Substitutes: McGovern, Hamilton, Donnellan, Devlin, Anderson, Sangare, Guthrie, Culbert, Sharp.

David Martindale makes three changes to the Livingston side which ran Celtic close last Sunday, as he looks to reduce a seven-point deficit at the foot of the Scottish Premiership against Hibernian.

Shamal George returns in goal for the visitors, with David Carson and Jason Holt bolstering Martindale's midfield options.

Out go Michael McGovern, Dan MacKay and Michael Nottingham.

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