Livingston Archives - SNN Sports

“I was proud of them” – Marvin Bartley

Marvin Bartley’s Livingston side held Hearts to an enthralling 2-2 draw in Livingston, despite going behind in the second half. Derek McInnes and 7,000 Hearts fans travelled to Livingston in hope to extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. However, bottom of the table Livingston held the table toppers to a draw, in what was a massive blow for Hearts in their chase for the Scottish Premiership. Hearts took the lead early in the second half, courtesy of Claudio Braga. After himself and Lawrence Shankland combined to put Hearts ahead. And it looked like Hearts would then find comfort and potentially extend their lead. But Lewis Smith had other ideas, as he found an equaliser for the hosts in the 58th minute. Livingston showed fantastic belief and character throughout the match and were rewarded with a well-deserved point. They could have even won all three points in the closing stages. When Robbie Muirhead was found through on goal, before being cynically fouled by Marc Leonard, resulting in a red card after a VAR check. After the strong performance, Marvin Bartley said: “I was proud of them, because it’s very easy when you’ve got 7,000 Hearts supporters, you’re 2-1 down and bottom of the league to feel sorry for yourself. But they went the other way. “I was really pleased with the way that they did play today. I thought Rangers here as well, we did extremely well. And in parts again, away to Celtic. “This team will keep on fighting. We take every game in isolation, because if you start looking at the league table at 2-1 down, you probably don’t get the reaction that they did give you. “Hearts fans probably came here today and thought it was going to be an easy game. But we came back into the game, and we were pushing for a winner at the end.” An unfortunate season for Livingston. However, since the introduction of Bartley, there has been strong performances in recent times against the top three. It demonstrates that Bartley and his side will not stop pushing until its mathematically over.

April 6, 2026

Hearts retake top spot despite being held by Livingston

Hearts reclaimed top spot in the Scottish Premiership despite being held to a 2-2 draw by bottom-of-the-table Livingston on Sunday afternoon. Rangers’ 4-2 victory over Dundee United at Ibrox yesterday afternoon means the Jambos’ lead at the top of the Premiership table is now just a single point, with six games remaining. The hosts took a shock lead in the 5th minute, as they took full advantage of the first opportunity of the game. Babacar Fati played a fine ball into the box from the left-hand side, an initial shot from Scott Arfield was blocked before the ball fell kindly to Stevie May, who fired the ball low into the bottom corner to net his first goal of the season. Marvin Bartley’s men had made a fast start to the game and were making life difficult for the visitors in the opening exchanges. Hearts were beginning to grow into the game and enjoy some much-needed possession after a nervy start. Claudio Braga had two attempts at goal, his first strike could only find the side netting from a tight angle, before he managed to wriggle away from Livingston’s backline inside the box, but his strike was tame and collected by Jerome Prior in the Livingston goal. The Jambos had their equaliser in the 25th minute. Cristian Montano failed to clear the ball on the edge of his own area, Birmingham loanee Marc Leonard was first to react to the loose ball, playing a perfectly timed ball into the box for Lawrence Shankland, who rose highest to put his side back on level terms and cancel out Stevie May’s opener. Shankland’s equaliser kick-started a spell of dominance for the Gorgie side, with the talisman coming close to a second goal of the afternoon when Claudio Braga controlled Kyziridis’ high cross into the box, allowing Shankland time to strike from range, but his volley flew narrowly wide. In the 40th minute, Hearts threatened once more. Claudio Braga tested the fingertips of Jerome Prior from distance, Prior got down well to his left to divert Braga’s low effort away from danger. The final notable chance of an eventful first half came when Scott Arfield sent a low free kick wide of the Hearts goal. Both sides had to deal with troubling weather conditions as torrential rain and snow began to fall in West Lothian. Hearts started the half the better of the two and took the lead in the 50th minute. Braga and Shankland had looked dangerous all afternoon, and the pair combined well to net their team’s second goal of the game. Shankland’s header at the far post was blocked well by Cristian Montano, but the ball would drop back for the Scotland striker, who played the ball back across goal for Braga, who leaped highest to beat several defenders and give his side a vital lead. Despite Braga’s header, Hearts could only keep their advantage for a matter of minutes. Livingston responded brilliantly to going behind for the first time in the match. Cristian Montano drove forward with the ball on the byline before cutting it back for Joel Nouble inside the box; he miscued an attempt from range, but the ball fell for Lewis Smith, who blasted the ball beyond Alexander Schwolow. The match started to become a very scrappy and end-to-end affair throughout spells of the second half, with both teams struggling to break each other down after Smith’s equaliser, as the game entered the closing stages. As the game entered four minutes of additional time, Robbie Muirhead looked to drive past Marc Leonard on the halfway line, only to be wiped out and brought down. Leonard was shown a yellow card, but a lengthy VAR check followed, which saw the yellow be upgraded to a red card, meaning Hearts had to see the final few seconds of the game out with ten men. Next up for Hearts is a home game against Motherwell next Saturday, meanwhile Livingston travel to Tannadice to face Dundee United.

April 5, 2026

Hibs 0-0 Livingston: Hibs held to goalless draw by Livingston at Easter Road

Hibs were made to settle for a point apiece against bottom of the table Livingston on Saturday afternoon at Easter Road with Marvin Bartley’s Livingston earning themselves a fourth consecutive draw. David Gray’s men had plenty of chances to win the match, hitting the woodwork twice as Livingston defended strongly throughout to earn a point. Both sides started the game slowly, but it was the visitors who managed to create the first opportunity of the match. Stevie May’s strike from close range was initially poorly pushed away by Raphael Sallinger, Rocky Bushiri was the first to react and clear the loose ball from any danger. Jamie McGrath came the closest to opening the scoring for the hosts after the 20th minute. Nicky Cadden, who was causing the Livingston defence all sorts of problems, played a low ball into the feet of McGrath whose first effort at goal inside the box was blocked before his follow up attempt cannoned off the crossbar. Hibs threatened once more as Warren O’Hora’s headed effort sailed just wide of goal after another dangerous cross was played into the box by Nicky Cadden, Hibs continued to dictate proceedings with much of the match being played in Livingston’s half. As the half time interval approached, Livingston striker Joel Nouble saw himself at the heart of a rare attack from the visitors, his curling effort from the edge of the box forced goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger into making a routine save. It was a first half that was very much controlled by the home team, but despite that, Livingston’s backline had done well to deal with Hibs’ constant pressure and cancel out any chance of a first half opener for the hosts. Hibs carved out two promising opportunities within the opening fifteen minutes of the second half, Dan Barlaser played an inviting ball towards the back post for Nicky Cadden, who was unable to get a proper connection onto the ball to steer it goalwards. Jamie McGrath would then collect another low cross that was sent into the box from Nicky Cadden, the Irishman was made to watch his strike come off the woodwork for the second time this afternoon, inches away from an opening goal. On the hour mark, Hibs boss David Gray turned to his bench as Martin Boyle and Tottenham loanee Dane Scarlett entered the field of play in hope of making an impact, with frustration beginning to grow amongst the Easter Road support. Livingston then had their first chance of the second half having been pinned back into their own half for the majority of the second half, Robbie Muirhead made a bursting run down the left-hand side, but his effort went comfortably wide of the Hibs goal. With ten minutes remaining, another huge chance came Hibs’ way as Jerome Prior did brilliantly to deny Dane Scarlett an opener from close range, Josh Campbell was then presented with the rebound only a few yards from goal, but he could only put his effort over the crossbar. Referee Lloyd Wilson awarded Hibs a spot kick in the 90th minute after Martin Boyle was said to have been brought down in the box by Mo Sylla, but an on-field VAR check meant the decision was quickly overturned which resulted in Boyle being shown a yellow card for simulation. Despite registering over twenty shots on goal, Hibs were forced to settle for a point as they failed to break down a resilient Livingston side who defended exceptionally well for large spells in the game. Up next for Hibs is a trip to Fir Park next weekend to face Motherwell who are six points above them in fourth place, whereas Livingston travel to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock who are six points above them in 11th place.

March 14, 2026

Livingston 1-1 St Mirren: A Point Apiece For Two Strugglers In The Scottish Premiership

Livingston and St Mirren played out a 1-1 draw at the Home of the Set Fare Arena, a point that is massive for both teams as they look to avoid relegation. Livingston came into this one off the back of three defeats and two draws in their last five, with their last result being a valuable point against Rangers. Livingston were bottom of the table with 13 points from 28 games and without a win in 26 league games. St Mirren had lost three and won two of their last five, however were dismantled 5-0 at home to Motherwell in their last match, they sat in 10th place with 23 points from 27 games as they look to avoid any relegation battles. Livingston made just one change coming into this one, as Cristian Montano who was sent off against Rangers last week was replaced by Babacar Fati. Stephen Robinson made six changes to the team that lost to Motherwell as Richard King, Declan John, Jacob Devaney, Roland Idowu, Conor McMenamin and Jake Young were replaced by Jayden Richardson, Scott Tanser, Mikael Mandron, Dan Nlundulu, Marcus Fraser and Keanu Baccus. The First real change fell to Livingston as they countered after a good run by Lewis Smith and his cross was almost perfect but Scott Pittman wasn’t able to convert St Mirren were quick to get a chance of their own as Jaden Richardson connected to a great cross but it was knocked onto the crossbar by Livingston keeper Jerome Prior. St Mirren would have another shot at goal through KIllian Phillips but Brooklyn Kabongalo took one in the face to stop his team conceding. Just after the quarter hour mark, Livingston struggled to play out from the back presenting a chance to Mikael Mandron but his shot went over the bar. Livingston would get another chance just before 20 minutes as a misread of the situation by Marcus Fraser allowed the ball to bounce to Robbie Muirhead but he rushed the shot and it went over the bar. Mark O’Hara was next to try his luck for St MIrren, as his looping shot bounced off the top of the net, as it had Prior backtracking. Livingston would fashion another chance for themselves down the left hand side eventually ending a shot by Pittman but it was wide. Marvin Bartley’s team would get another soon after, Smith again looking threatening and his powerful shot was well saved by St Mirren keeper Shamal George. As we approached half-time the deadlock was broken as Dan Nlundulu’s header from a Mikael Mandron cross was floated into the corner of the goal past Prior, that was his fourth of the season. St Mirren threatened from a corner early on in the second half with Phillips and Nlundulu having shots that were blocked by the Livingston defenders. Stephen Robinson’s team got quickfire double chances from both Mandron and Nlundulu, both were blocked by the scrambling Livingston defense. Another chance for St MIrren as this time it was Mark O’Hara who rifled a shot just wide of the goal after a cross was headered away. The game went into a lull where no team was really creating much, Livingston made subs to try and have an impact on the game but it was working as they wanted. Babacar Fati was able to get a shot away for Livingston but it wasn’t troubling George who watched it sail over. Livingston would get their equaliser as substitute Barrie McKay’s cross was headed in a similar fashion to Nlundulu in the first half by Kabongolo, it’s his second in two games after his strike opened the scoring last week against Rangers. Substitute Joel Nouble was able to get a shot away for Livingston but his shot went harmlessly over the bar. Livingston were the ones pushing to win the game. There were six minutes added. They had a few corners but just couldn’t find the magic touch that could win the game for them. There was then a fair bit of confusion as Mikael Mandron was injured and then substituted off before running back on the park and playing as a 12th man for around 30 seconds, he left the field of play and was booked. The game came to an end all square as the teams continue their fight to avoid relegation as remain in the league. Livingston’s next game is against Hibernian at Easter Road next Saturday which looks to be a tricky test for the team from West Lothian. As for St Mirren they have a much quicker turnaround as they play Dundee United on Tuesday night as they look to pull away from Kilmarnock who currently sit in the relegation play off. Livingston Jerome Prior, Babacar Fati, Ryan McGowan, Scott Pittman (Mo Sylla 86), Robbie Muirhead (Joel Nouble 68), Lewis Smith (Barrie McKay 59), Daniel Finlayson, Emmanuel Danso (Jeremy Bokila 59) , Brooklyn Kabongolo, Macaulay Tait, Danny Wilson. St Mirren Shamal George, Jayden Richardson, Scott Tanser, Mark O’Hara, Mikael Mandron, Alex Gogic, Dan Nlundulu, Miguel Freckleton, Marcus Fraser, Keanu Baccus, Killian Phillips.

February 28, 2026

Livingston 2 Rangers 2: Rangers drop points in title race yet again

Rangers had to do it the hard way, as they came behind to gain a point in Livingston, in an enthralling last 20 minutes of the match Rangers started strong, creating numerous chances in the opening five minutes, the best coming from a Tuur Rommens free header which Jerome Prior tipped onto the post. Livingston opened the scoring in the 14th minute from a set-piece, which fell to Brooklyn Kabongolo as he hit a spectacular volley which flew into Jack Butland’s net. Shortly after the opener, Rangers were awarded a free kick in a dangerous area. Which James Tavernier’s effort from just outside the 18-yard box was parried away from Prior. Prior’s save then landed at Emmanuel Fernandez who was unable to sort his feet as his effort flew over the crossbar. The opening goal gave the home side and supporters lots of confidence, as they continued their pressure on the Rangers backline. On the half hour mark, Mikey Moore dribbled past the Livingston midfield with ease and released an effort which again was saved fantastically by Prior. The pressure from Rangers was slowly creeping back, James Tavernier with a strike that didn’t cause much trouble for Prior, but was more of a warning sign for Bartley’s squad. A messy situation in the Livingston box, saw effort after effort blocked away from the hosts, a real fight and desire from The Lions. After the interval, Rangers came out with real intensity. Bojan Miovski saw his tremendous effort tipped over the crossbar from Prior. The Frenchman Prior was active again just moments later, Tuur Rommens’ cross found Nico Raskin just yards from the hosts goal, but was yet again denied. Rangers’ afternoon went from bad to worse, on the 55th minute, Lewis Smith was found free inside the box, and his low driven effort left Butland with no chance. Giving The Lions a 2-0 lead with only 35 minutes to play. Just moments after the second goal of the match, Cristian Montano saw red for denying a goal scoring opportunity. Djeidi Gassama was played in behind the Livingston defence as Montano fouled him from behind gaining none of the ball. The Livingston defence were at it again, Daniel Finlayson somehow denied Ryan Naderi, as the Germans effort was cleared off the line. On the 75th minute, Danny Rohl threw everything at it, but it just didn’t seem to be Rangers’ day, struggling to complete three or four passes in a row, it looked to be a day to forget for Rohl’s side. On the 81st minute, Emmanuel Fernandez found space inside the danger area, which allowed him to fire an effort past Prior, giving Rangers a hope that they can keep their title challenge hopes alive. Rangers found an equaliser late into the match, Mikey Moore’s header from Tavernier’s cross slicked along the surface into Prior’s net, sending the away crowd into a frenzy. Mikey Moore was then one on one with Prior late into the match, when Cammy Kerr came sliding in taking Moore and the ball out. After a long VAR check, referee Ryan Lee cleared any penalty claims. It wasn’t to be for Rangers this afternoon, but credit to Livingston for their guts and desire throughout the full match. For Rangers, it’s a double header with rivals Celtic, as they look to put this one behind them and get back to winning ways. For Marvin Bartley’s Livi, they host St Mirren, in a must win match to keep their survival hopes alive. Prior (8), Kabongolo (8), Smith (7), Wilson (7), Montaño (5), McGowan (7), Tait (7), Finlayson (7), Muirhead (7), Danso (6), Pittman (5), Sub Nouble (5), Kerr (6), Fati (4), Sylla (4), May (3) Butland (4), Tavernier (5), Souttar (4), Fernandez (7), Rommens (7), Chukwuani (5), Raskin (5), Skov Olsen (3), Moore (7), Gassama (4), Chermiti (5) Sub Miovski (3), Naderi (3), Aasgaard (4), Bajrami (5)

February 22, 2026

Celtic 2-1 Livingston: Debut Delight for Oxlade-Chamberlain

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored on his Celtic debut to earn his new side a 2-1 victory over bottom of the league Livingston. The former Liverpool midfielder came off the bench with the game tied at 1-1, with Marcelo Saracchi, who also got his first Celtic goal, opening the scoring in the first half before a Robbie Muirhead penalty restored parity. It was a ferocious start from Martin O’Neill’s men, who peppered Jerome Prior’s goal with threats from Callum McGregor and Tomas Cvancara in the opening stages. Yet Livingston still managed to warn the champions that they won’t be having it all their own way, with Stevie May forcing a fantastic save from Kasper Schmeichel after a catalogue of chances up the other end inside the first ten minutes. Daizen Maeda had an effort bundled off the line but Livingston’s resilience was broken on the 15th minute. A corner fell to Marcelo Saracchi at the edge of the penalty box, and the Uruguayan’s effort sailed beyond Prior to break the deadlock. The goal seemingly sucked any life out of the game. Celtic, who could have had a hatful before scoring, failed to create chances at the same rate they had done and went down the tunnel with a slender advantage. This was all the initiative that Marvin Bartley’s side needed. Reo Hatate brought Robbie Muirhead down inside the box and gave the away side a way back into the match from 12 yards. Muirhead stepped up, and fired down the middle whilst Schmeichel dived to his left. The Hoops threw the kitchen sink at Livi in seek of a winner, turning to the likes of Kieran Tierney, James Forrest and cup hero Junior Adamu from the bench for a changes of fortunes. But it would be debutant substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who would deliver the largest impact from the bench in added time. The former Champions League winner opened up his body just outside the area after receiving it from left-winger Sebastian Tounekti, and curled it home to secure all three points for his new employers. Livingston had a penalty claim for handball waved away in the final minute of injury time, with referee Calum Scott’s whistle bringing an end to proceedings as the Lions now sit nine points adrift at the foot of the table. Celtic close the gap on second placed Rangers to a sole point, albeit with a game in hand. Their attention turns to this Sunday as they travel to Kilmarnock with a chance of leapfrogging their rivals for at least a couple of hours before they host Hearts in a mouthwatering top of the table clash. Livingston’s winless run in the league extends to 24 matches following tonight’s late defeat. The all-time record belongs to Morton from 1987/88 who went 28 without victory, Livi are running out of chances not to beat this as they face Dundee up at Den’s Park this Saturday. CELTIC: Schmeichel 5, Saracchi 6 (Tierney 4 61′), Scales 6, Trusty 5, Araujo 6 (Oxlade-Chamberlain 78′ 5), Engels 2 (Hatate 2 32′), McGregor 5, Maeda 4 (Forrest 2 78′), Nygren 6, Tounekti 5, Cvancara 4 (Adamu 2 61′) LIVINGSTON: Prior 6, Kabongolo 6, Finlayson 5, Wilson 5, Kerr 4 (Montano 2 61′), Lawal 4, Danso 3 (Sylla 61′ 2), Tait 4 (Smith 73′), Pittman 6, May 3 (Wanner 67′ 1) Muirhead 6 (Bokila 1 72′)

February 11, 2026

Livingston 0-2 Motherwell: Maswanhise Magic Worries Bottom of Pile Livingston

Tawanda Maswanhise scored his 17th and 18th goals of the season as Motherwell strolled to a 2-0 win over bottom of the league Livingston at the Home of the Set Fare Arena. The attacker moves clear of next highest scorers in Premiership golden boot race, as rumours of his future rumble before Monday’s transfer deadline. It now means that Livingston have went twenty two games without a win in the Premiership, equalling a record low in this division this century. In a half that was one-way-traffic for the visiting side, the hosts had a glaring opportunity to score the opener inside two minutes. Stevie May combined with Scott Pittman to knock the ball over to an unmarked Connor McLennan, but he was denied excellently by Calum Ward as his extended arm put the ball out for a corner. The league’s top scorer Tawanda Maswanhise resumed his usual business less than five minutes in when he was was picked out perfectly by midfielder Elijah Just. The New Zealand international’s pinpoint cross was met with a looping nod from his Zimbabwean teammate to give the Steelmen an early advantage. Just could have been provider for Maswanhise again 24 minutes in had he chosen to be. A long ball from the Motherwell backline seemingly out of nowhere seen the pair through in a 2 vs 1, with Just opting to go for goal rather than pick out the goalscorer again. His effort however, curled off of the post. Maswanhise would grab his second though just four minutes later. Daniel Finlayson’s clearance failed to go beyond Callum Slattery just outside the Livingston box. The Motherwell number eight slipped in his frontman, who made it two for him and the ‘Well with a lovely opened-body curled finish into the bottom right corner. It is the thirteenth goal in the league this season for the 23-year-old, which puts him two clear of both Celtic’s Benjamin Nygren and injured Hearts’ captain Lawrence Shankland. The foot came off the gas for Motherwell in the second half, threatening with far less frequency than they did in the first with a wayward effort from Ibrahim Said and tame strike from hat-trick hunter Maswanhise. Livingston nearly found a way back into the game with just over twenty minutes to play. Connor McLennan’s cross from the left travelled the width of the Motherwell six-yard-box, but could not be met by Scott Pittman, despite a sliding attempt to. Calum Ward nearly gifted the home side a way back into the match on the 73rd minute. The goalkeeper’s lacklustre pass out was halted by the foot of Robbie Moorhead, yet the heaviness of the touch allowed Ward to recollect and spare his blushes, keeping a shutout on the cards. Tawanda Maswanhise left the field to a standing ovation from the away support, who will be hoping he is still playing in claret and amber for their visit to Dundee this Wednesday, amid intense speculation linking him with moves to Celtic, Rangers and Blackburn Rovers. Defeat for Livingston today coinciding with a Kilmarnock win at home to Aberdeen sees them fall further behind the Rugby Park side at the foot of the table, with the gap now standing at six points. Twenty-two Premiership matches since David Martindale’s side last tasted victory when they defeated Falkirk on the second day of the campaign. If they fail to beat John McGlynn’s side on Wednesday evening, they overtake Hamilton Academical’s unwanted record of most games without a win from 2010/11. Jens Berthel Askou’s men continue to pull up trees as they move further ahead of Hibernian in fourth place, with the Easter Road club not in action until a home fixture against Rangers tomorrow. They make a trip North to face Dundee on Wednesday, before turning their attention to an away Scottish Cup tie against manager-less Aberdeen. LIVINGSTON: Prior 5, Fati 4 (Lawal 77’ 1), McGowan 4 , Pittman 6, Muirhead 4 (Tamm 77’ 1), McLennan 5 (Smith 77’ 1 ), May 4 (Zimmerman 67’ 4), Finlayson 3, Danso 5 (Sylla 67’ 1), Tait 4, Brenet 5 MOTHERWELL: Ward 6, O’Donnell 6, Sparrow 6, Slattery 6, Fadinger 5, McGinn 6, Maswanhise 9 (Mbule 76’ 1), Just 8 (Nicholson 64’ 2), Koutroumbis 5 (Gordon 85’ 1), Priestman 5, Said 6 (Bjorgolfsson 64’ 2)

January 31, 2026

Livingston to receive six figure boost after Yengi loan deal

Tete Yengi is poised to join Japanese side FC Machida Zelvia, after the West Lothian side received a six-figure loan fee for the Australian striker. He joins the J1 side on loan, and the deal includes an option to buy this summer. The side will kickstart their domestic campaign against Yokohama on February 6th. Livingston manager Davie Martindale praised the “fantastic value” of the move, “I am really excited to see Tete’s growth. I feel the player that walked in our building 2 years ago has now become a much better footballer and an even better person, and we have been a great fit for one another. “He leaves the club on a temporary loan, with all of our best wishes.” “This is a fantastic piece of business for the club, and it’s important that we try to balance the books as best we can. “As a club, we need to be progressing towards sustainability, which has proved very hard the last few years, but player trading will become a huge part of our business model moving forward.”

January 28, 2026

‘It’s costing us big, big points’ – David Martindale

A late header from Alex Gogic rescued a vital point for St Mirren against Livingston, leaving Lions manager Davie Martindale with further VAR frustrations. After a largely uneventful first half, Livingston seized the advantage ten minutes into the second period. Joshua Brenet’s right‑footed cross fell invitingly for Robbie Muirhead, who controlled with his chest before rifling a powerful left‑footed strike in off the post, giving goalkeeper Jerome Prior no chance. The goal sparked rare excitement among the home support, with Livingston having endured a winless league run stretching back to August. Muirhead’s effort looked set to move the side closer to 11th‑placed Kilmarnock. However, St Mirren struck late to deny them. Scott Tanser’s 89th‑minute corner was met by Gogic, whose glanced header found the net. Livingston claimed a foul on Brenet in the buildup, but VAR swiftly dismissed the appeals and the match ended level. Martindale expressed his frustration at full-time. “There’s a big foul on Joshua Brenet, who is marking Alex Gogic. Gogic pulls his arm. And it’s Gogic who scores. “How can that goal be given? I’m really disappointed. I need to stop talking about this, but what do I do? “It’s costing us big, big points in games. “VAR isn’t making the game better. How long have we had it now? You’re still debating penalty decisions. “I know we’ll be stuck with VAR. We need to go full-time, a bank of referees who are full-time. “I know the difference between a part-time football club and full-time football club. Surely by going to full-time from part-time is going to make us better. “For me, it’s a wee bit amateur just now.” St Mirren remain 10th in the table, eight points clear of the relegation place, while Livingston stay three points adrift at the bottom. Martindale’s side must regroup quickly as they prepare for a crucial trip to managerless Aberdeen on Saturday.

January 21, 2026

Hearts 1-0 Livingston: Jambos Extend Premiership Lead with Narrow Victory

Hearts 1-0 Livingston Halkett (18′) Livingston made the journey to Tynecastle Park today to take on Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Premiership. The last time these two sides met was in September at the Home of the Set Fare Arena where the Jambos won 2-1. Claudio Braga Alexandros Kyziridis with goals for Hearts and Lewis Smith scoring for the Lions. Today’s game sees the Jambos coming in off the back of a Derby day defeat away to Hibernian, and David Martindale’s side lost to Dundee United. The away side had the better start to the game, a shot from Scott Pittman just over the bar within the first 3 minutes. McInnes’ side had their first chance after 10 minutes, Tomas Magnusson with a left-footed shot but rolled wide of the post. Hearts went 1-0 up in 18 minutes, a header from Craig Halkett, crossed in by their newest signing Jordi Altena, who makes his debut. Halkett has now scored 6 goals for the Jam Tarts. A few VAR shouts throughout the game for the home side, 2 of which were for penalties, but were both cleared by the officials. Livingston were pressing to find a goal in the second half, a good chance from Mohammad Sylla, but it was headed right off the post. The game finished 1-0 to Hearts and puts them 6 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, with their next game on Sunday against Dundee. Livingston have yet to win a game since August, and they will face Kilmarnock at home on Saturday. Hearts: Schwolow (7), Altena (8), Halkett (8) Findlay (7), Milne (6), Baningime (7), Devlin (8), Magnusson (7), Braga (6), Kyziridis (7), Shankland (7). Substitutions: Steinwender (4), Kerjota (5), Kent (3) Livingston: Prior (5), Montano (5), Kabongolo (6), McGowan (6), Finlayson (6), Susoho (5), Sylla (6), Pittman (5), May (5), Yengi (6), McLennan (5). Substitutions: Lawal (5), Danso (3), Zimmerman (3), Muirhead (3)

January 3, 2026

Livingston