Marvin Bartley departs already relegated Livingston.

Marvin Bartley has departed Livingston as he feels he had ‘no option’ following relegation to the Championship. Bartley took the manager role at the start of the year after moving from the assistant to manager as former boss, David Martindale stepped down to take up a role as sporting director. Livingston announced their relegation from the Scottish Premiership as results on Saturday didn’t go their way with Kilmarnock cruising to a 3-0 win over Dundee United which now see’s Scott Arfield take charge for the final three fixtures for Livingston. Bartley after speaking on X: “Ultimately, this decision comes following a conversation on Monday where the position that had previously been outlined to us changed considerably. “Following the Motherwell game on 31 January, I was asked to take on the role and initially declined given the circumstances at the time. “After further conversations, I agreed to do so based on assurances around stability and the opportunity to lead the club into next season should relegation happen. “For that reason, it came as a major surprise to later be informed that Neil and I would need to reapply for our positions as part of a new process being introduced by the club. “We don’t feel that the situation we agreed to take on, and the one now being presented, are the same. As a result, we feel stepping away is the right direction for us both.” Martindale who was in charge for the first-half of the campaign in which joined the club back in 2014 and took the manager role six-years-ago, guided Livingston to the top-flight after defeating Partick Thistle in the play-offs back in 2018. Livi spent six- years in the top division before returning to the Championship where they’d find themselves return on the first time of asking, defeating Ross County in the play-offs to return to the Premiership. This campaign hasn’t went as planned with so far, just two wins all season which saw a win over Falkirk on matchday two with most recently, a 2-0 away win against St Mirren. Bartley has been in charge for 11 games which of course picked up the second win of the season for the Lothian side, defeating St Mirren 2-0 in Paisley with his last game in charge being their Friday night showdown, drawing 2-2 with Aberdeen and despite the point, they were still relegated with relegation rivals, Kilmarnock picking up three points. Bartley looks onwards in his career after a slight improvement in performances. “We took over a group that was in an extremely difficult position with a short period of time to try and turn things around,” he added. “While results ultimately haven’t been enough to keep the club in the division, we believe there were clear improvements in performances, competitiveness and spirit across the 11 games.”

Stephen Robinson explores the option of keeping Olusanya permanently

Aberdeen boss, Stephen Robinson is keen to keep striker Olusanya at Pittodrie following his loan spell. Robinson is keen to keep Olusanya at Pittodrie who originally joined Aberdeen on loan from MLS outfit, Houston Dynamo who is out-of-contract with the American side this summer. Robinson coached Olusanya back during their St Mirren days where the ex-St Mirren coach is a big admirer of the forward. Olusanya joined the Dons on loan in January from the MLS in which he previously had a loan spell with Doncaster Rovers at the beginning of this season failing to make an impact down south. The Englishman has featured 15 times in red failing to pick up a single goal with just one assist to his name – despite the stats, Robinson is clearly hopeful of keeping Olusanya in the North-East. Olusanya was a key player during their St Mirren days netting 12 times in 38 during 2024/25 for the Buddies as Robinson see’s the striker as a key player. Robinson states he is very keen in keeping him next season as he is hoping to sign consistent performers over ‘big’ names. Robinson on keeping Olusanya at Aberdeen: Robinson confirmed: “Certainly we will. I believe the American club has got an option to extend it, but it’s something that we’ll be looking at and actively discussing.” “You know, there’s lots of names being bandied about, and we just need to, first and foremost, get safe. I’ve let other people look at that in the background and advise me. “I was going to say once a week, but it’s probably every couple of hours, advising me where we are.” “I was going to say once a week, but it’s probably every couple of hours, advising me where we are.” Robinson is happy by Olusanya’s overall play but says the only missing part is a goal which he believes he will get eventually. The former St Mirren boss said: The Dons boss claimed: “He’s doing everything but scoring a goal at the moment, and if you ask any defender in the league, they hate playing against him. “He’s a huge threat. He’s involved in so many things good that we do, and I’ve worked with him, obviously, previously, and he’s a super boy. “He is infectious around the place. When you come into a changing room, that’s not won games. “One win in 16 when I took over and there are people feeling sorry for themselves. You get the little groups gathered together. “But Toyi is a different breed. He’s just happy all the time. He trains every day wood, and his teammates really, really like him, so he brings a positivity. “On the pitch, he’s one of the quickest players I’ve ever worked with. If we can just add the goals to his game, then he’s a real, real threat, which he’s shown in the other parts of his game.” Stephen Robinson also thinks that Olusanya doesn’t suit the MLS and believes the Scottish Premiership is the right place for him to play his best football. He added: “Yes, I think when I first came in, he wasn’t. He’d been in America for a year and hadn’t played a lot of football. It was a different style of football. “It was 40-odd degrees in Texas, and probably didn’t suit Toi’s game, if the truth be told. Toi’s a runner. He gets down the side of people and hurts people. “We’ve taken a little while to get him up to that fitness level, but like we’d done with Afeez, we stuck with him to get the game time in. I’m starting to see real good traits in him and Kevin forming a really good partnership.” Robinson is also keen on bringing Liam Morrison back from QPR for next season following his loan spell in Scotland. Striker pairing, Kusini Yengi and Peter Ambrose are both set to return from disappointing loan spells. Graeme Shinnie could be on his way out with no sign of any contact extension yet with a return to Inverness being possible following their promotion to the Championship.

McGlynn “Delighted” as Falkirk Stay in European Hunt

John McGlynn believes his side’s ability to “stifle” Motherwell was critical to their victory over the Steelmen, as The Bairns look to leapfrog Hibs next weekend in the race for Europe. Speaking at full-time of their 1-0 win, McGlynn praised his team’s workrate, as they picked up a vital three points. “The boys gave everything, had to work their socks off. “Everyone knows how good a team Motherwell are but we’ve managed to stifle them a little bit nearly every time we’ve played them bar the first half of the first game. “The first half, the intensity, the pace of the game was ridiculous. We had to defend well, Nicky had one really good save on the first half and I think on another day Barney gets himself a hattrick, maybe it’s just a little dip in confidence. “We managed to defend well as a team, we defended the box and we were a threat throughout the game. I’m delighted for the players, they put so much work into that.” In the other dugout, Jens Berthel Askou believed a lack of clear-cut opportunities proved one of the decisive factors in Motherwell’s defeat. “Disappointed about the outcome, disappointed about some of the moments in the performance. “I think it was an extremely open game in the first half, maybe more open than either team would have wanted. “It gave us all the moments and opportunities for our attacking players to create big chances and score goals we could have wished for but it also gave them too much. Neither team was able to produce enough quality until they finally scored then I think we took control for most of the game in the second. “We had our moments and opportunities but not enough big ones. The intent to really try and take control of the game, especially in the second half, was there. We did our best but our best just wasn’t good enough today.” Motherwell sit comfortably in fourth, but would perhaps rather not give their European rivals any further encouragement, as the Scottish Premiership reaches its climax in the coming weeks.

Dundee 1-0 St Mirren – Dundee edge past St Mirren to steer away from relegation

A first-half Westly strike earned Dundee a huge three points as they look to steady the ship and avoid the drop and remain in the top-flight. Dhanda had the first real big chance after ten minutes as he fired a tame effort from the edge of the box which was easily gathered by Ross Sinclair in goals. Dundee shortly fired ahead after a slack pass at the back allowed Dundee to attack with Congreve twisting-and-turning on the right flank, he then whipped a ball into the box where Joe Westley struck it home to steer Pressley’s men away from the relegation fight. The hosts nearly had a second as Dhanda struck the ball goal bound but was deflected onto the bar by a St Mirren body to deny Dundee a second. Congreve again whipped a low ball in, it found Westley once again but his effort went just wide of the target. St Mirren were denied a penalty just before the break after a pretty dreadful half by the Buddies’ but after a lengthy VAR check, the penalty was denied. Into the second half, Richardson took on a shot from distance which ended up being palmed away by the Dundee number one to deny an equaliser for the Paisley outfit. St Mirren had another big chance which saw Campbell deliver a ball into the box and Mandron met with it but his strike fired just wide. Not much drama in the second period going into the 70 minute mark as St Mirren struggle to pull one back despite a slightly better half than their first half showing. St Mirren again came close as Idowu made a darting run towards goal and took on a strike from a very tight angle which rattled the side netting as St Mirren keep pushing for an equaliser. Congreve had a chance to see off the game with a right-footed strike inside the box but too many touches allowed St Mirren bodies to come back and block his effort. Dundee had a massive late chance with a ball across goal mouth but the Dundee forward unable to tap the ball into the net to go two clear. Dundee see out a vital win at Dens as they continue their relegation fight as their Premiership status for next season looks very likely and for the visitors, well they drop into 11th as they go into the fight with Kilmarnock – which they will meet next Saturday in Paisley. Dundee: McCracken (6), Astley (7), Wright (7), Murray (6), Halliday (7), Yogane (8), Westley (8), Congreve (7), Dhanda (9), Hamilton (7), Graham (7). Substitutes: O’Hara (7), Robertson (7), Hay (6), Samuels (6), Koumetio (6). St Mirren: Sinclair (6), Richardson (6), Tanser (5), King (6), O’Hara (6), Idowu (6), Devaney (6), Mandron (5), Campbell (6), Freckleton (6), Phillips (5). Substitutes: McMenemin (6), Fraser (6), Young (6).

Valakari says his side “played like champions” after 2-0 win on Friday evening

Simo Valakari was delighted on how his side reacted after clinching the title on Tuesday evening. St Johnstone who won the league on Tuesday night in Dunfermline went on to defeat Raith Rovers 2-0 on title celebrations night as many thought some players could may still be “hungover”. St Johnstone have been at it the entire season and rightly so, finished in style in their final home match of the season at McDiarmid which was a time to celebrate with family, friends and the supporters as they return to the top flight on the first time of asking. A brace by Jamie Gullan who has been on fine form this season got the night up and running with two first-half goals to send Perth in party mode. Valakri was delighted his side were able to continue their fine form as he added: “after clinching the title on Tuesday night, to come here and still showing the energy, desire and commitment” as his side continued as where they left off on Tuesday night as the Tuesday nights celebrations didn’t impact how they played on Friday night as Simo left very happy with how his side went about it. It was always going to be a big night in Perth as the St Johnstone squad were in full party mode after a massive night under the lights in which they did it in style. The season isn’t quite over yet for Simo Valakai’s men as the travel to Ayr United next Friday night for the final game of the Scottish Championship season as the Perth outfit will be looking to end on a high as they prepare for Premiership football next season.

Are former Premier League Champions Leicester set for League One Football?

Leicester City – the former Premier League Champions sit 23rd in the EFL Championship as a shock relegation looks set for the Foxes. The Foxes’ were once up there winning the Premier League title back in 2016 being one of the greatest underdog stories out there as the Foxes secured Champions League football to the King Power Stadium. Leicester were grouped with Club Brugge, FC Porto and FC Copenhagen which saw Leicester progress with four wins, a goalless draw in Denmark and a 5-0 battering at Porto. They were drawn with Sevilla which they lost the first leg but came back to win in the home leg to continue. Their Champions League spell came to an end at the hands of Atletico Madrid, drawing 1-1 at home but losing out 1-0 in the Spanish capital courtesy of a Griezmann first half goal. They would go on and return to the European stage in 2021 being grouped in the Europa League with Spartak Moscow, Leiga Warsaw and Napoli which saw the Foxes demoted to the Conference League where they’d meet Randers winning 7-2 on aggregate. They then went on to face Rennes which they edged out 3-2 winners on aggregate which landed them a tie with PSV Eindhoven which again saw them progress. It all came to an end in the following tie as AS Roma scraped past Leicester to knock out the Premier League side. It all came to a crashing end in 2023 as the Foxes saw their nine year spell in Europe’s top league come to an end as Leicester were relegated to the Championship following a rather disappointing season in the Premier League. This year has been very poor by the Foxes’ as they sit second bottom, just ahead of Sheffield Wednesday who sit on -3 points following a season full of point deductions and off the pitch chaos but for Leicester, a team who you’d expect to be in with a chance of the title look like they’re set for League One football. Leicester who sit 23rd have only won 11 times this season, most recently a 1-0 defeat at Portsmouth yesterday as relegation fears stepped up a level as they sit eight points from safety with a defeat to Hull on Tuesday meaning they will be playing in England’s third division next season. The defeat at Portsmouth didn’t go down well at all with the fans which saw heated conflict between fans at full-time and Oliver Skipp seen shouting abuse towards the fellow supporters as well as supporters at full-time chanting “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” as a shock relegation looks to be on the cards. It’s safe to say, it’s a sad sight in England as one of the regular Premier League sides are being set for a relegation to League One following many years of success.  

Ross County 2-1 Ayr United: Ross County edge past Ayr United to keep survival hopes alive

Goals by Duncan and Iacovitti seals a massive victory in the relegation battle as the Staggies survival hopes strengthen. Ayr were quickly in the attacking phase as a strike by Dempsey was deflected off a County defender which rattled the post to deny Ayr an early lead. Ross County fired ahead after 3 minutes, Ryan Duncan who smashed it following a deflection into the bottom right hand corner following a corner as relegation worried County took a vital advantage. A scrappy opening half hour with just the one goal, apart from that there hasn’t been many clear-cut chances as County still lead. Ayr were nearly level, a scrappy moment in the box which was regained which landed to Liam Dick with his effort heading wide of goal which went out for a corner which was whipped in as Kevin Holt headed one off the bar to deny the equaliser. It looked almost certain a second was coming as a free kick into the box and Iacovitti headed the ball into Wright with his effort somehow smashing wide of target. Ayr were level after 40 minutes after a ball was crossed into the back post where Anton Dowds struck it in to damper County’s relegation hopes. Into the second period, Ross county nearly restored their lead as a ball into the box found Randall but his tame effort was caught safely. A dull second half as neither said have came close to creating any clear cut chances as both sides try and push to go ahead with the Staggies battling to keep their Championship status alive. Ross County restored their lead after 69 minutes as Duncan worked his way onto the edge of the box, crossed the ball in and Iacovitti headed one home to keep their Championship dreams for next season alive. Jamie Lindsay had a chance in the dying stages from distance but fired his effort a bit too high of target as they look to seal the victory in a fascinating relegation battle. A massive win in the relegation fight for the hosts although they still remain bottom with Aidrie drawing with Partick Thistle. A massive game for County next week with Morton if they are to avoid the drop. Ross County: Carson (6), Wright (6), Gallagher (6), Iacovitti (7), Randall (6), Docherty (6), Chilvers (7), Duncan (8), O’Sullivan (6), Carbon (6), Phillips (6). Substitutes: Foster (6), Smith (7), White (6), Lindsay (6). Ayr United: Mitchell (5), Dick (6), King (5), Holt (6), McMann (6), Dempsey (6), Bannigan (6), Rus (7), Summers (6), Murphy (6), Dowds (7). Substitutes: Watret (5), McRoberts (5), Hislop (5).

Martin Boyle on Aberdeen’s radar with the forward set to depart Hibs

Aberdeen born, Martin Boyle could be on his way to Pittodrie as his spell in Leith is set to come to an end. Aberdeen appear to be keen on the Hibs attacker who is set to depart as Stephen Robinson looks ahead to his first window as Aberdeen boss. Boyle confirmed he will be departing the Easter Road side with Aberdeen hoping to capture the Australian International for next season after many failed attempts in previous years to take in Boyle. Aberdeen have begun to shortlist potential signings but won’t go any further until they confirm they will be playing premiership football next campaign. Boyle has had many other options to consider with clubs from England also showing interest as well as many other teams from both Australia and Asia but a potential move back to where he grew up could be on the cards as Robinson looks to opt for experience. Martin Boyle has had a couple spells with Scottish clubs starting with Montrose which saw him join Dundee after some impressive form at Links Park. Boyle made 65 appearances with the Dens Park outfit, netting 5 goals where he went on to join Hibs, spending 12 years in Edinburgh being a star player for the Leith side which also included a short spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Faisaly in 2021. Aberdeen are also set to loose many other players with Liam Morrison set to return to QPR, Geiger set to return to Hoffenheim, Cameron set to go back to Rangers after all their loan spells as well as their captain Shinnie who is out-of-contract come end of the season with Findlay Marshall who has impressed highly on-loan at Arbroath signing a new deal keeping him at Pittodrie until 2028. Elvis Bwomono is also set to depart with his short-term deal coming to an end as well as Tom McIntrye with Toyosi Olusanya returning to Houston following his loan spell.

Sunderland 1-0 Tottenham: De Zerbi begins on wrong foot with a defeat to Sunderland

Tottenham make it 14 games without a win as relegation fears strengthen as a second half strike by Mukiele ensures three-points for Sunderland. Tottenham come in as they fear of relegation with 13 games without a win after dropping into relegation on Friday night as West Ham defeated Wolves to leap-frog Spurs’. Sunderland who are pushing for Europe defeated their rivals Newcastle 2-1 last time out look to get yet again. Tottenham are in dire need of victory should they get out of the bottom three. As the game begun, Richarlison had an early small chance, a first time strike from just inside the box which was collected calmly by Roefs in the Sunderland goal. Sunderland moments later took a brilliant corner by Ex-Arsenal man, Xhaka with his corner being tipped over the bar by Kinsky who has been heavily criticized of late. Brobbey had a chance from close range with his header going just over the bar following some very good passing prior to the chance. On the 20 minute mark, Tottenham were awarded a spot kick following a potential foul on Kolo Muani but after a VAR check, the penalty was chopped off which was simply, the correct decision. A free-kick from far out, Xhaka with the ball towards the box but Mukiele missing connection as it goes out for a goal-kick. Xhaka with the best chance so far as a throw by O’Nien which was brilliantly headed away but only as far as the Sunderland captain who smashes the ball goal bound but fires just wide of target. The hosts had a perfect chance to go ahead with a free-kick on the edge of the box as Xhaka blasted a ball well over into the stands. Just before the break, Xhaka whipped a ball into the box where Brobbey met but a brilliant stop by Kinsky denying Sunderland the lead right on the stroke of half-time. Roefs then quickly denied Spurs the opener as Roefs denied Solanke giving Spurs’ the lead which went out for a corner. Going into the second half, Richarlison was running through to try and strike home but some crucial defending by O’Nien prevented a Tottenham opener. Richarlison had another chance just before the hour mark but a weak and tame effort making it a simple safe by Roefs for Sunderland. Sunderland took the lead after the hour mark, Mukiele with a darting run and unleashed a strike from distance which deflected off Van de Veen and found its way into the back of the net to build more pressure onto the London side. Going into the final stages, Sunderland looked more likely to get the next goal but a massive 10 minutes to come in terms of Tottenham’s season as they fight to escape relegation. Rigg had a chance from outside the box after 82 minutes but his effort being well blocked to deny a second. Major claims late into the game as Brobbey felt he was nudged but referee Rob Jones was having none of it with VAR agreeing, no penalty. Moments later, Sunderland had a huge chance for a second but Udogie doing brilliant to clear the ball off the line to deny Sunderland the second and to deny a tap in. Porro wasn’t far off to equalise late on as a powerful strike was tipped over by Roefs to deny Tottenham a way back into the game. Sunderland scraped past struggling Tottenham at the Stadium of Light as Tottenham remain the bottom three as their relegation chances continue as that is now 14 games without a win and a defeat for Ze Zerbi on his debut where things must change if they are to avoid the drop. Next up for Sunderland is a trip to Villa Park next Sunday with Tottenham facing Brighton next Saturday evening with De Zerbi facing his former club as Spurs look to steer away from relegation. Sunderland: Roefs (7), Mukiele (8), Mandava (7), Alderete (7), O’Nien (7), Sadiki (7), Diarra (7), Le Fee (7), Rigg (6), Xhaka (8), Brobbey (7). Substitutes: Talbi (5), Hume (5), Isidor (5). Tottenham: Kinsky (6), Porro (7), Romero (6), Van de Veen (6), Udogie (6), Gray (5), Gallagher (6), Kolo Muani (5), Bergvall (5), Richarlison (6), Solanke (5). Substitutes: Palphina (5), Sarr (5), Tel (5), Danso (5), Simons (5).

Stephen Robinson states Aberdeen are still in the relegation fight despite Hibs victory.

The Aberdeen boss says Aberdeen are still not safe as they defeat Hibernian 2-0 at Pittodrie as they go five ahead of Kilmarnock. Aberdeen picked up their first win since January, defeating Hibs 2-0 in the Granite City which was a massive weight off their shoulders as they edge closer away from relegation. Aberdeen now sit 5-points ahead of 11th placed Kilmarnock with the Dons next fixture being at home to Killie with a win there almost securing their Premiership status next season. Robinson said: “I thought we were excellent throughout, even at 11 vs 11. Some of our play was really good. We didn’t look like we were in a relegation battle. “The situation we’re in comes with a lot of pressure, comes with a lot of criticism, some of it deserved as well and I thought the boys stood up to be counted today. “There were some really, really good performances. We spoke about keeping clean sheets, which the team managed today and that starts from the front. “We said if we deliver balls into the box, Kevin Nisbet scores goals. He’s proved that and I thought he was excellent throughout today. “His work ethic as well was excellent, and it doesn’t make us safe by any stretch of the imagination. But certainly, that’s what I’m seeing in training, and now we’ve been able to put that together on the pitch. “I just felt when they came in Monday morning, there was no excuse mentally. We got them going again.” Robinson agreed it was a much-improved type of performance with it being just their second league win in 2026. Robinson said: “Afeez (Aremu), Stuart (Armstrong) and Lyall (Cameron) thought ran the game. Stuart Armstrong’s a joy to watch at times. He gives us that composure. It doesn’t faze him at all. Afeez as well, now he’s getting fitter and stronger, knowing what we want from him. “I thought Lyall really contributed to that as well. So, to a man, there wasn’t a bad performance. The back three defended really well. We said don’t concede a goal, let’s get a clean sheet. Then you don’t lose the game. And they’ve done that even in the last couple of minutes when they were tired. “And they’ve shown that they have got that fight. I mentioned the fans as well, I thought they were superb, right behind the players. It helps so much when they do that.” “I told them to bottle the feeling because they haven’t won for a long time at home, I think it was the first win in the league since December and clean sheet since December.” Aberdeen will now have an extra weekend off as it’s Scottish Cup weekend as they look to build momentum going into the final bottom-six matches coming up. He added: “We said on Friday it was the best atmosphere we’ve seen for a long, long time, and some of the staff have been here and said it was the best atmosphere they’ve seen in maybe three or four months. “There was a little bit of togetherness, people smiling, people enjoying themselves and actually enjoying being together at the training ground. So sometimes that relates on to the pitch and if we can continue to build on that, there are good players here. We know there’s lots of things that haven’t been good enough this season and we worry about that at the end of the season.” There was some referee controversy as Gyamfi appeared to punch Hibernian striker Owen Elding in the back of the head which was given as a yellow following a VAR check. Robinson also said: “When they come over, you obviously expect the worst, don’t you? But nobody on either bench thought it was a red card. They thought it was a free-kick at best. “But on both benches we’d seen it back and we were amazed he was called over. So thankfully they’ve come to the right decision in the end.” Next up for the Dons is Kilmarnock at home  as they look to make the gap eight points between the two sides and steer away from the relegation scrap.