Livingston

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Former Raith Rovers manager Grant Murray has joined Marvin Bartley's coaching team at Livingston for the remainder of the season.

The former defender has also had coaching roles at Hibs, Edinburgh City, Queen's Park and Queen of the South, laterally under Bartley in 2023.

"When I first came up to Scotland to play for Hibs, Grant was a coach there and gradually became more involved when Neil Lennon took over as manager and then I had him as my assistant at Queen of the South so I know him really well," manager Bartley said.

"He's someone I trust and adds a pair of experienced eyes to my coaching team.

"He's had a successful football career both as a player and as a coach – lifting silverware during his time at Raith Rovers as manager too.

"His high standards, great work ethic and professionalism are traits that are non-negotiables for me and he'll help further instil that in the group."

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Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney is set to play with a broken nose while new signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could potentially make the squad.

Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles), Jota (knee), Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand (both hamstring) remain out.

Livingston pair Scott Arfield (hamstring) and Connor McLennan (ankle) join Aidan Denholm (hamstring) on the sidelines.

Cristian Montano could return after injury while Jeremy Bokila is available after suspension.

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Free agent Barrie McKay is training with Livingston and could be offered a contract after the Premiership strugglers lost Scott Arfield and Connor McLennan to injury.

Former Rangers playmaker McKay, 31, has been without a club since leaving Hearts last summer.

Manager Marvin Bartley refused to be drawn on interest in McKay but did confirm that veteran midfielder Arfield and winger McLennan are facing spells on the sidelines with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.

"I don't think they'll be back for the next couple of weeks, put it that way," he said.

"I think Connor will be slightly longer than Scottie is, but definitely not for the next couple of weeks.

"It's a massive blow. We're down in numbers in terms of the size of the squad as well, so losing any players at this moment in time makes it extremely difficult, especially those two players.

"Connor's done extremely well for us and obviously Scottie was brought in (in January) to give us that boost in attacking areas.

"We've lost two boys from the top end of the pitch, but it's an opportunity for others to now step up and go into the team and take their places."

Bottom side Livi visit third-placed Celtic on Wednesday bidding to end a 25-game run without victory.

"It's a massive task, isn't it?" said Bartley. "Celtic are obviously chasing another title. It'll be extremely difficult.

"On any given day, anything can happen. If you go into football thinking you can't win, then it would be pointless."

Stuart Barrie
Fan writer

A last strain of positivity evaporated as the Marvin Bartley managerial era kicked off with defeat to Falkirk.

It was a huge annoyance to their fans that the team from Grangemouth just couldn't beat us and we revelled in it.

Our last win, back in the hopeful days of August, was against them. Now those bragging rights are gone.

Fair play to their fans though, they came to the Home of the Set Fare Arena in big, impressive numbers which we will happily bank the proceeds from.

Those funds will help sustain our ever-growing backroom team, with recent additions of course including David Martindale as sporting director. I've never seen such infrastructure at Livingston and it is both welcome and terrifying.

How can we afford such a list? It's wonderful that chairman Calvin Ford's investment is providing the club with such deep resources.

However, should our benefactor decide Scottish football is not for him and pull the plug, Livingston will be in the familiar position of skint and too many bills to pay. We all know how that ended the last time… and the time before that.

Putting aside the financial concerns of the backroom costs, there is more pressing concerns of staying up occupying the thoughts of Livi fans.

Marvin is popular and respected, he's been at Livi a while and has the fans onside. I do think he is the manager and not just in name. He'll pick the team and not just be a yes man.

He has to get the team playing like they did in the second half against Falkirk. The first half was miles off but something clicked at half-time.

Whatever big Marv said or did - we need a repeat against Dundee. We can't keep relying on Kilmarnock being as bad as we are. We have to start winning.

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• This will be Martin O'Neill's 200th league game in charge of Celtic (P199 W163 D20 L15 to date) - the sixth manager to reach that milestone with the club. He has already won the most matches of any manager within their opening 200 league fixtures with the club (164, Neil Lennon second with 154).

• Benjamin Nygren has scored in Celtic's past four league games; the last player to score in five successive league appearances for the club was Daizen Maeda in March 2025, while the last to do so during his debut campaign was Scott Sinclair in September 2016 (six). Nygren has four goals in two Scottish Premiership games against Livingston – his most against any side in the division.

• Celtic remain unbeaten in all 22 of their home games against Livingston in all competitions (W19 D3), only ever facing Dumbarton more times on home soil without losing (26).

• Livingston have lost their past 10 meetings with Celtic in all competitions by an aggregate score of 30-6 since a 0-0 stalemate in October 2021.

• Livingston are winless in 23 league games (D7 L16) since beating Falkirk 3-1 in August. It's the longest run without a win by any side in Scotland's top flight in the 21st century.

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Curacao defender Joshua Brenet has left Livingston to join Turkish top-flight side Kayserispor for an undisclosed fee.

The 31-year-old joined Livi in October on a deal until the end of the season, but has exercised a clause in his contract to depart.

He made 15 appearances for the Scottish Premiership bottom club.

Watch Falkirk inflict more pressure on struggling Livingston with a 2-1 win at Almondvale in Marvin Bartley's first game as boss. (Available to UK users only)

Falkirk's impressive first half performance saw them establish a two-goal lead and despite pulling a goal back after the break, Livingston's long winless run continues.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Livingston manager Marvin Bartley told BBC Scotland: "When you play games of football and you cost yourself with two goals in the first half, maybe people will say you don't deserve anything.

"In the second half we got a massive reaction from the players but I told them we shot ourselves in the foot twice with the goals we conceded and we need to eradicate that if we're to have a chance of staying in this league.

"At half time I told them that at 2-0 down there's two ways you can look at it. You can say 'That's us done' or you can show a reaction with a bit of fight and a bit of spirit.

"We changed the shape slightly as well to try and get a bit of pressure on the top end. I said to go and run themselves into the ground and we'll use our substitutes if we have to.

"I need to watch it back because the things that stick in my mind are the two goals we conceded. The players have taken in a lot of information from the staff in the last couple of days and were told to go over that line and do everything to the best of their ability.

"They're disappointed. There were a lot of heads down at half time but we had to pick spirits up to have a go in the second half, which they did.

"We need to take care of the things we can control and for me we didn't do that today.

"It's one game. There will be a lot of learning from that.,

"We've got a massive game at Celtic Park, and all games are massive for us now, but we'll look back on that with the staff, tell the players what they did well, what we didn't do so well, and improve."

We asked for your thoughts on Livingston's business in the January transfer window.

Here's what some of you said:

Leslie: Would have thought the Lions would have brought in a central defender. Unfortunately, Ryan McGowan and Danny Wilson look to be struggling with the intensity of the Premiership. Brooklyn Kabongolo is relatively untested at this level, leaving only Daniel Finlayson as the first choice centre back, full-credit to him for that though. But I can't help but feel we are massively lacking in that department, not only in depth but in quality, as seen from tragic attempts of defending in recent games.

Malky: These signings were basically excess signings. If the right decisions had been made in the first place, Livi would've had a tight efficient squad to cope. But David Martindale and his "sign now, think later" policy have made it shambolic, and is Marvin Bartley going to be his own man or is Davie working him from the back?

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• Livingston have only won one of their six previous top-flight meetings with Falkirk (D2 L3), though that was their first league win of this season, a 3-1 home victory back in August.

• Only one of the last six Scottish Premiership matches between two newly promoted clubs has been won by the home side (two draws, three away wins), although that was Livingston's 3-1 win over Falkirk in August this season.

• Livingston are winless in their last 15 midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) games in the Scottish Premiership (D6 L9) since a 2-1 victory over Aberdeen in November 2022.

• Falkirk have failed to win all four of their midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games this season (D2 L2), and are winless in seven midweek matches in the top-flight overall (D4 L3) since a 1-0 victory at Aberdeen in February 2010.

• Livingston have won five of their last seven Scottish Premiership games at home to newly promoted opponents (L2), including a 3-1 win over Falkirk earlier this season.

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New Livingston boss Marvin Bartley hopes to have Scott Arfield and Cristian Montano back from injury but Jeremy Bokila is suspended and Aidan Denholm (hamstring) is still not ready to be involved.

Falkirk add loan signing Ben Broggio while Ben Parkinson (ankle) and Ethan Williams (thigh) are out.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Marvin Bartley has spoken to the media for the first time since being appointed Livingston manager as he prepares for Wednesday's Premiership game with Falkirk.

Here are the main points from his news conference:

• Bartley says he only found out David Martindale was stepping down on Sunday morning and was then offered the job.

• He adds: "I didn't expect it to happen. Probably the best thing about it, I didn't have any time to think."

• The 39-year-old says "it's a privilege" to be handed the job, having also played for Livingston in the past.

• Bartley insists he will have sole control over first-team matters. He will lean on Martindale for advice at times but knows "the buck stops with me".

• Bartley is convinced Livingston's players are good enough to stay in the Premiership - they sit six points adrift at the bottom with 14 games left - and hopes a "fresh voice and fresh approach" can hep spark an upturn in results.

• Team news: Veteran midfielder Scott Arfield returns from injury and is fit to take on Falkirk if required, having recently left the Bairns.

With the transfer window now shut, we want to know if you think your team have made the right moves.

Livingston were idle on deadline day but had already added seven players, including Babacar Fati, Scott Arfield and Alex Tamm.

Mahamadou Susoho and Tete Yengi were among the players to depart.

Are you happy with the club's January business? With Marvin Bartley having replaced David Martindale as manager, is the squad equipped for a great escape from relegation?

Tell us your thoughts here.

We asked for your views on Marvin Bartley taking over as Livingston manager with David Martindale moving to a new role as sporting director.

Here's what some of you said:

Ben: So no real change then. Davie still making awful signings and pulling the strings. With a failed Queen of the South manager "in charge," what a time to be alive.

Malky: Right decision, Big Marv will bring in a fresh approach, fresh ideas. Nobody can take away what Davie's done for club, but hopefully a new direction now.

Kyle: Personally I am disappointed with the decision to replace Martindale with Bartley as there are more qualified personnel at the club, e.g., Neil Hastings and Chipper [Brian Rice] but I think that's us down and there is no point in thinking about safety this season.

Stephen: Thanks Davie, you will always be a legend and a big part of our history. The atmosphere was surreal and everyone knew that something had to change. Although we are a diddy team we have a big heart. Big Marv has a huge job restoring team spirit amongst what we thought looked a broken group. Well here goes another chapter. Come on the Lions.

Paul: As much as I like Davie, we couldn't go on and lose every game this season and that's how it was looking. He clearly has a great affinity for the club so it's worth keeping him around. Marvin is untried at Prem level so it's a huge ask but I prefer someone from the inside getting a chance. Marvin did brilliantly for us as a player and it's nice to give him a try as the manager. We have literally nothing to lose.

Clive: This change should have happened weeks ago. Every week the changes that were made were like for like with no desire to change shape of team. I liked Bartley as a player and captain with us and he talks a good game. Hopefully he can walk the walk, be his own man and stamp his own authority on the team. Too late for this season I believe, but if he can get a few wins under his belt before the season ends, next season will look brighter which ever league we are in. However Martindale has left a legacy and will be a hard act to follow. Onwards and upwards.

Matt: Bartley's promotion and Martindale shifting upstairs has been the obvious move to make for a considerable amount of time. It's a belated, but nonetheless massively welcome change. Martindale has already said there must be clear distance between Marvin and his own new role, which again is encouraging - Bartley must be allowed the space and freedom to put his own mark on the side. For the first time in a long time, I feel slightly encouraged. It's almost certainly too late to save this season, but in terms of preparing early for next, it's 100 per cent the right play.

Stuart Barrie
Fan writer

It was a bit of a shock to learn the news that David Martindale had moved upstairs to become sporting director.

He was bullish and as determined as ever to get things right, stating he was not for quitting after our latest drubbing, this one at the hands of Motherwell. I really didn't not expect this move. I don't think any Livi fan did.

First and foremost, I think there is some gratitude and appreciation to be shown to Martindale for his hard work at the club over the years. I do believe he is our most successful manager and by that definition, also our best ever manager.

He has given me some of my best times as a Livi fan. Our promotion last year was incredible and the Challenge Cup win last season was out of this world.

He was also part of the management team that also gave us our first play-off final win, a Challenge Cup win, a £2m player sale, loads of impressive wins against the Old Firm and a storming five goals scored against Hearts that cancelled their players' Christmas party.

I really do appreciate his efforts, even if a lot of Livi fans had lost faith in him recently and things were turning a tad toxic at games.

This season's points tally has been dismal. We have played good attacking football at times but it's not been enough.

We are behind even our own points tally from this stage in our relegation campaign a couple of years again.

Quite a feat considering how dismal and depressing that season was. This season I have enjoyed a lot of the games, been disappointed at the last-minute concessions and VAR decisions, but I've been entertained.

However I've not seen a win since August. When we last won, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival was in full swing, now the Valentine's Day cards are in the shops. Change was very much needed as Martindale had lost the support of the majority of fans.

I really hope I am wrong but I'm not sure this change is enough. I haven't advocated for change with the manager this season and hoped Martindale would get it right, but if you are going to make a change then things have to really change.

Instead it feels like more of the same - what will Marvin do as manager that he couldn't do as a coach?

There is also the spectre of having the old manager around on a day-to-day basis.

That could lead to confusion with the players and well, more of the same.

Its big Marv's time to shine. Whether he turns things around remains to be seen but I sincerely hope he manages to do so.

I hope there are brighter times ahead for the club. I also hope in time even the angriest of Livi fans can appreciate Martindale's time at the helm and he has the lasting, positive legacy he deserves.

Watch highlights as Motherwell win 2-0 in what proved to be David Martindale's final game as Livingston manager before he moves upstairs to become sporting director. (Available to UK users only)

Marvin Bartley has taken over as Livingston manager with David Martindale moving to a new role as sporting director at the Scottish Premiership's bottom club.

What do you make of the decision? Have your say.

We asked for your views after the 2-0 home defeat by Motherwell extended Livingston's winless run and left them six points adrift at the bottom.

Here's what some of you said:

Kev: Too many so called fans shouting for David Martindale's head. He can only go through the tactics, what players decide to do/not do on the park, he can't control. There's no consistency from the players. They looked jaded and downtrodden, second to everything, poor decision-making.

Fraz: Shambolic again! Babacar Fati looked decent but the tactics are all wrong, there's no cohesion and that's the managers fault. What happened to David saying "if it's the best thing for the club then I'll walk away?" He's now saying he'll only leave if sacked. It's not working, he's lost the fans, the club is losing fans and that won't change until Davie leaves. With a change in dugout there's a chance we'll stay up, but no chance with Davie in charge.

Malcolm: It was awful. Heads down, silly mistakes, and players shouting at each other on the pitch. The usual players stood out for me, maybe three or four guys, but other than that it looked like the team didn't really care about the outcome. Fans will soon vote with their feet. If this carries on then next year's support will be even smaller than now. Maybe I'll go and watch Broxburn in the Lowland League.

Matt: Not that there was much expectation of a result against a surging Motherwell side, but the manner of Livi's defensive capitulation was depressing. It was simply far too easy for them to cut Livi open, and it's the same story, rinse and repeat, week after week. Like the news wasn't bad enough for us long-suffering Livi fans, the quote from the manager after the game was "I can get sacked, but I will never, ever walk away from this football club, especially when they're in their times of need". What Martindale is failing to grasp is that it is his very leadership that is causing the club to sink into the abyss of the Championship again.

Thomas: Since post-match Aberdeen his manner has changed and in subsequent media both in house and externally he looks like a man who knows his time is running out at the club. Having a go at the diehard Livi fans, of all people, is pretty poor when you consider how hard it is supporting Livi. He can't keep criticising "individual mistakes" and picking the same individuals.

Steven: Absolutely horrendous. Worse than the relegation season and the manager is taking the fans for a ride. 27 January 2024 he admits to press he will walk away if it means Livi stay in the Premiership, now he is saying he will die in the dugout? Who runs the club? Ford, John Ford? Just names on paper. The press don't even call him out, it's an embarrassment. Martindale's done great but all this about "credit in the bank" is ridiculous, no job in the world could you go six months without getting a result and still be in it. Shambles is the only way to describe Livingston football club just now.