Livingston

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A sibling rivalry subplot is set to add "a bit of spice" to Aberdeen's tussle with Livingston on Saturday.

The Pittodrie showdown could be a rare occasion of two sets of brothers playing against each other in the same match, with Livi's Tete Yengi and Andrew Shinnie and Dons pair Kusini Yengi and Graeme Shinnie all in contention for involvement.

"I wonder if that's happened previously, two sets of brothers playing against each other," said Livi manager Martindale.

"It just adds a wee bit of spice to the game, and probably adds a wee bit of banter with the Yengis and the Shinnies.

"Especially Shinnie's mum and dad, I think they try and get to a lot of the games and sometimes it's [a choice between] Andrew or Graeme, so they've not got a decision to make this week, they're going to go along to the game.

"Tete's a little bit different because his parents are in Australia but, yeah, it brings a different dynamic and probably a bit of banter through the households."

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David Martindale hopes Jannik Wanner's loan spell can help the German forward follow Joel Nouble's route to success at Livingston.

Despite having only signed in late June, Wanner was this week sent to second-tier St Johnstone for the season.

Former striker Nouble thrived for Livi after spending the first six months of his three-year spell with the club on loan at Arbroath in the Championship in season 2021-22.

"Jannik's needing as much game time as possible to get up to speed with the demands of Scottish football," manager Martindale said.

"There's a recall clause, and hopefully in January we're kind of using that clause.

"We did something very similar with Joel Nouble. I want him out playing minutes because the quicker we get him adapted to Scottish football, the better it's going to be for Jannik and Livingston."

Martindale is set to include new loan signings Junior Robinson and Mahamadou Susoho in the squad for Saturday's Premiership match at Aberdeen.

"They'll be in contention," he said.

"It was good to get them in last week because it gave us a bit of a free hit with them not having a game on Saturday, so we managed to get some training and coaching time into them and they've been getting to know the group."

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Summer signing Jannik Wanner has left Livingston to join Championship side St Johnstone on a season-long loan.

The Haiti-born German winger signed a three-year deal with David Martindale's men in June to move from Austrian second-tier side SKU Amstetten.

Wanner, 25, made two appearances from the bench for Livi in the group stages of the League Cup against Brora Rangers and Kelty Hearts.

"It feels very good to be here and I am very happy for the opportunity. I'm looking forward to getting to know the fans and all of the staff. Hopefully we will have a lot of victories together," he told St Johnstone's club media.

Stuart Barrie
Fan writer

The international break provides a good chance to take stock of how things have gone and have a think about what's coming up.

August was as good as I could have hoped for. We had a superb win against Falkirk, a fine draw away to Killie, and no one was really expecting anything from us at Parkhead anyway, were they?

The only one to have any groans about was Hearts at home. That was probably the game I enjoyed the most, ironically, as we more than held our own against the Tynecastle side but they nicked the win at the end.

Played four, with four points on the board. I'll take that.

My thinking is always if you can take 10, maybe nine, points in each rotation of games where the teams all play each other once, then we'll be alright. We are now halfway there.

September's round of league games is a mixed bag. All the teams we play have been both hot and cold, so you can throw the form book out the window.

One constant is we should have a decent chance for three points against Dundee and Aberdeen on the road.

Who knows what Rangers will throw out but we are at home and have punched above our weight there against the Old Firm before.

If we can head into October's international break with at least seven points from seven games then I'll be very happy indeed.

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West Ham defender Junior Robinson is "ready to get stuck in" in West Lothian after joining Livingston on a season-long loan deal.

Robinson, 21, spent last season on loan at National League side Sutton United and could make his Livingston debut against Aberdeen on 13 September.

Robinson is yet to make a senior appearance for West Ham but has featured consistently for their under-21 side.

"The PL2 is obviously quite technical but I think the physicality and the pace of the game will be different," Robinson told club media, external.

"The way we play, we want to get after it and we were similar in PL2, getting after the ball, so I think that will help.

"I'm ready to get stuck in and dig deep."

We asked for your views on Livingston's business in the summer transfer window.

Here's what some of you said:

Christopher: I'm pleased with the business we've done this transfer window. The lads who came in on deadline day come from big clubs with plenty of resources, but Scotland is a different beast. We'll reserve judgement for now, though I've seen enough this season to be confident we'll do well against the bottom half of the table.

William: Livingston has done a good bit of business this summer. It's now down to the coaching staff to get them to gel as an attacking team. Come on Livi.

Derek: Would have been good to see a proven goalscorer although they come at a cost. David Martindale has recruited well and I reckon they'll be fine this season, come on the Lions!

Del: Smart business provided they gel quickly and are willing to roll their sleeves up.

Stuart: Very pleasantly surprised with the signings, getting young talent from Man City, at Livi? Credit to Martindale, the man does serious work during the transfers. I had wanted a new defender and a new striker and he got a defender and someone for midfield. Very interested to see how we play against Aberdeen. They are beatable.

Matthew: Davie has shown his skills in the market again, he knows how to find quality and build a team on a shoestring budget. We know we aren't one of the big boys but we can show what hard work, determination, teamwork and a solid squad can achieve. I for one am looking forward to the season ahead, I fully expect Livingston to give it their all and who knows maybe reach the top six!

Michael: Martindale and Livingston have a really exciting group of players, really looking and feeling optimistic.

Stuart Barrie
Fan writer

Walking down to the game there were Hearts fans everywhere around Livingston. The pubs were full of maroon and white too.

There was three full stands of Jambos in our stadium and a very healthy (for us) home contingent too. A cracking atmosphere was building.

That was respectfully paused as both sets of fans took a moment to think of former Livingston assistant Dougie Imrie in a poignant show of respect for his family.

As soon the game kicked off there was an almighty bellow from both sides and the guy next to me leaned in and said "It's good to be back in the big league". He was absolutely right too.

To roll out the well-worn cliche, the result wasn't what we wanted but there was so many positives to take from this game.

We were first class and the better team in the first half, crowned by another peach from my man of the match Lewis Smith.

Unfortunately, there was another half to play and Hearts came out all fired up and got themselves back into the game. Then, sadly, scored a late winner to burst our bubble.

I saw more than enough against one of the much-fancied, top teams in this league to show we will be competitive, play attacking football when it's appropriate and avoid relegation.

We maybe even a bit higher in the league if we can keep those first-half levels up. Hearts may have Tony Bloom's millions, Jamestown Analytics data and three of our stands, but we have hope, as well as a good few quid in the bank from their visit.

Livingston were active on deadline day with a double loan deal, adding midfielder Mahamadou Susoho from Manchester City and defender Junior Robinson from West Ham.

That took David Martindale's summer signings haul to 15 as Livi attempt to avoid an immediate return to the second tier this season.

So with the window now closed, are you pleased with the club's transfer business? Does it leave the squad in good shape for the season ahead - or is Martindale light in certain positions?

Share your thoughts here.

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Midfielder Mahamadou Susoho has joined Livingston from Manchester City on a season-long loan.

The 20-year-old has played once for Pep Guardiola's side, coming off the bench in a Champions League win at Red Star Belgrade.

The former Spain Under-18 international spent last season on loan at Peterborough, where he made 17 appearances, scoring once.

Watch highlights as Hearts score dramatic late winner against Livingston in the Scottish Premiership.

The Scottish transfer window closes at 23:00 BST on Monday 1 September so there's still time for business to be done.

What do Livi need to do before the window slams shut?

Have your say here

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Manager David Martindale is hopeful Livingston can add a midfielder and a full-back to their squad before Monday's transfer deadline.

The West Lothian side have lost two of their opening four matches on their return to the Scottish Premiership following Saturday's defeat at home to Hearts.

Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis's stoppage-time winner saw Martindale's side fall to a 2-1 defeat at Almondvale after Lewis Smith had put them ahead at half time.

"I think we're a wee bit short in the midfield area," Martindale said.

"I also think I'm a full-back short, so those are the two areas that I've been trying to work on. I'm pretty confident we can get something done.

"And there might be one or two others that chap my door, maybe an agent phones me or an opportunity arises for a player to go elsewhere.

"I've always been of the mindset that if my phone goes, like with Zak Rudden [who joined Dunfermline last week], I'll give the player the opportunity to make that decision in terms of what they want to do.

"So if my phone goes, I'll be putting that back to the player or the agent because you only really want to keep boys at the club that want to be at the club and don't want to pursue other opportunities."

We asked for your views on Livingston's 1-2 loss at home to Hearts.

Here's what some of you said...

Gary: I think the Livingston game was a prime example on what referees do wrong. I hope he hangs his whistle up soon, today's performance was shocking.

Mike: Hard lines Livingston. As ever Derek McInnes' team was a dreadful watch.

Kev: Ruined by inept refereeing - when are match officials going to be held accountable?

Substitute Alexandros Kyziridis' dramatic injury-time winner secured Hearts three points against Livingston to nudge them top of the Scottish Premiership.

Read the full match report

Have your say on the game

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Livingston manager David Martindale: "It's always difficult to lose late goals. We don't start the second half well.

"I don't think there was much in the first half. I don't think we caused too much trouble offensively, I think we gave Hearts too much possession, maybe too much respect in the second half.

"I don't think there was a lot in the game but I was really disappointed in the referee. It felt like every tackle was a yellow card. I genuinely don't think it was a dirty game of football.

"When you've got 6500 away fans in the stadium then that momentum breeds energy. Adversely, that affects ourselves. I felt we could have been braver on the ball.

"Last year we probably won that game two or three nil in the championship. That's just the step up in this league. You can definitely tell there's a step up in ability [at Hearts]. Nobody would have moaned too much if it was a point apiece. a wee bit disappointed to not get a point but I don't think we did enough to win the game ourselves."

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Livingston pair Adam Montgomery and Graham Carey are back in contention but Shane Blaney is set to miss out through injury.

On-loan Hearts midfielder Macaulay Tait is unable to face his parent club and longer-term absentees Cammy Kerr and Aidan Denholm are still out.

Hearts boss Derek McInnes is likely to be selecting from an unchanged squad, with goalkeepers Ryan Fulton (groin) and Craig Gordon (shoulder), as well as Jamie McCart (ankle), Kenneth Vargas (hip), Finlay Pollock (hamstring) and Christian Borchgrevink (thigh) all set to remain sidelined.

New record signing Ageu is awaiting work permit confirmation.

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Tete Yengi insists he is ready to make an impression in the top flight after failing to score so far this season.

The Australian joined relegation-bound Livingston in 2024 and netted seven goals in the last four months of the campaign.

The striker hit 10 goals last term as David Martindale's side gained promotion from the Championship, but hasn't made the scoresheet yet after four substitute appearances.

Speaking before Saturday's visit of Hearts, Yengi said: "I feel good physically, I've had a few minutes in the games and I feel good when I'm coming on, so I'm just looking to get that start and then kick on from there.

"I'm confident in myself. I know the league from the time I had when I first arrived. I'm confident in the team that we have and with the way we're going to play this season, I think we will create a lot of chances."

The 24-year-old believes his brother, Kusini Yengi, who joined Aberdeen this season will "be really good" despite the Dons' difficult start to the campaign.

"It's been a tough start for them (Aberdeen) and a tough start for him, but I'm confident in him," added Yengi.

"I have belief in him. He's a confident guy and I'm sure once he gets a few goals, once they start playing good football, then he'll be really good.

"We play them in a couple of weeks, so I'm looking forward to that. Hopefully we can both be on the pitch at the same time, that'll be cool."

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Striker Zak Rudden has made a "surprise" move to Dunfermline just two months after joining Livingston from Queen's Park.

The 25-year-old has left for an undisclosed fee after making five appearances for David Martindale's side, scoring once.

However, the forward has not featured in Livingston's past two Scottish Premiership games.

"In all honesty, it came as a bit of a surprise," said manager Martindale. "Neither myself or Zak had any knowledge of Dunfermline's interest until I had a phone call from them.

"I spoke with Zak and we had a very good conversation face-to-face and I explained this wasn't part of our plans, but that I would understand if he wanted to be a regular number nine week in, week out.

"To be fair to Zak, he wasn't looking to leave, but when we both talked it over it was obvious this would be a very good move for him from a footballing point of view, and we would receive a nominal transfer fee which always helps in any move."

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• Livingston have won just two of their past 26 top-flight meetings with Hearts (D10 L14), a 5-0 victory in December 2018 and 1-0 in September 2022.

• Hearts won all three of their Scottish Premiership games against Livingston in 2023-24; Hearts last won more top-flight meetings with the Lions in succession in March 2006 (five).

• Livingston have won three of their past four Scottish Premiership home games (D1), including their first this season 3-1 over Falkirk. They had only won two of their previous 17 at home in the competition beforehand (D7 L8).

• Hearts have won each of their past three away league outings, their longest such run since winning five in a row in February 2024.

• Against Motherwell last time out, Hearts became the first side to come from three goals behind to avoid defeat in the Scottish Premiership since Aberdeen also drew 3-3 with Motherwell in February 2024. Claudio Braga became the first Hearts substitute to score twice in a single Premiership match since Lawrence Shankland netted a hat-trick against Celtic in October 2022.

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David Martindale revealed he is preparing to deal with a couple of "unexpected" departures from his Livingston squad before Monday's transfer deadline.

The Livi manager had only planned to add a full-back, but now admits he is eyeing further reinforcements after two players signalled this week they are keen to move on.

"Until probably 48 hours ago I was fairly happy with what I had, but there's been a wee bit of developments in here that are probably going to nudge me back into the market," Martindale said.

"That was a wee bit unexpected, to be honest. I had a phone call yesterday with a club interested in one of our players who indicated that he's not had as much game-time as he wants, so he'd probably like to explore that opportunity, which I'm more than happy with. I've got a great relationship with the player.

"And we've got another one who's got a loan option at a pretty decent level.

"None of them are signed, sealed and delivered, but I think the two of them are potentially going to get done.

"So it's probably opened up the door for me to have a wee look at another possibly one, possibly two coming in."

Stuart Barrie
Fan writer

Away days are a big part of the season. Trips to places you never get to or stadiums that radiate atmosphere is something I've looked forward to.

Going to Celtic Park, home of the champions, is an option that's being priced further and further away from most fans.

Let's be honest, if you are a Livi fan there is more chance of David Martindale appearing with a Russell Martin-style hairdo than we have of winning there.

We've scrapped the odd point but the gulf between the teams is huge. Better teams than Livi struggle to take away any points from the east end of Glasgow.

Throw in the necessity of backs-to-the-wall defending to keep us in it and playing in our own half (maybe even 18-yard box) for most of the game and it's hardly a spectacle you'll be rushing to.

For a wallet-bursting, eye-watering £36 you can watch Livi take on a team with a vastly superior budget. And if you don't mind risking a neck-injuring view of watching the game from behind a pillar, the restricted view is a mere £33.

Prices for kids are either £25 or £16. Add that up for a family and it is a sizeable chunk before you've even paid for a pie, fuel and someone to 'watch your car' when you are at the game.

Livi fans are mocked for our low numbers but surely teams with millions in the bank can help the travelling fans out a little and have reasonable pricing?

The twenty's plenty campaign really is food for thought. Even for us to get fans along to fill up our stadium. I'd rather see that packed and noisy, than the sea of yellow seats I often look upon.

I manged along to the game thanks to a Celtic-supporting pal donating their season ticket (thanks again Mickey) and thought we did okay.

We were organised, competitive and made Celtic work for their win. We could have maybe even celebrated a goal if Mo Sylla hadn't got a fright being in the unusual position of in front of the opposition goal and fumbled our best chance.

Watch Sportscene analysis of Jerome Prior's incredible save against Celtic.