Livingston

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We asked for your views on Livingston's player of the season.

Here's what some of you said:

Brian: My player of the year is Scott Pittman. Always get 100 per cent from Scott, no matter who he is playing against. He is really Mr Livingston and I think naming a stand after him would not be over the top.

Craig: Jerome Prior has been excellent in goal despite the poor results. Lewis Smith has been the best outfield player by a country mile.

Malcolm: Livingston player of the year has to be Stevie May. Guaranteed to put in 110 per cent when he's on the pitch. If we're including loan players, he's closely followed by Macaulay Tait.

Derek: There's only really been one stand out performer for me and that's goalkeeper Prior. The guy has been excellent in a very poor, under-performing team. We'll be very, very lucky to see him at Livi next season.

It's been a far from glorious return to the top flight for Livingston.

They have mustered just one win, have languished in bottom spot for much of the campaign, and look doomed to the drop.

But have their been any impressive players in a lacklustre campaign?

We want to know who's been your Livingston player of the year. Tell us here

Stuart Barrie
Fan writer

Can we stop the season now, please?

I'm not sure there's any point pretending otherwise - we are relegated. Players and officials have to stay positive and show a path forward, but the reality is we are dead in the water.

The game against United pretty much sums up our season. We were second best for much of the first half, then played well for large parts of the second.

We could have won it and should have taken at least a point, but somehow managed to give away a daft penalty (quite a harsh decision) and walk away with nothing.

We may as well enjoy Lewis Smith while we can, as our best attacking threat will surely move on to another Premiership club when the axe falls on us.

The winger was our main attacking outlet again and is thriving under Marvin Bartley. His two goals got us right back into this game, but once again we shot ourselves in the foot.

The sad fact is after 33 games, we have won only one game - which was way back in August. We have drawn 16 games, conceded 66 goals and scored 35, leaving us with a paltry 16 points.

Weirdly, there's still a lot I've enjoyed. We've played well in spells and have been desperately unlucky not to get more points on the board.

In the dreadful 23-24 season when we were last relegated, we somehow amassed 25 points with five wins and 10 draws.

Even Carol Vorderman couldn't find a way to make the numbers stack up for us to survive this time.

I'd be quite happy to give up on this season and start planning for the next. I know there are lots of contractual shenanigans ahead, but we should already know who we have for next season and start working on a system to get us straight back up.

There's no point playing the retirement contingent or the players who have been no better than what we already had from January. It's time to get things in place for next season and face the reality of where we'll be.

Sportscene pundit Steven Naismith says Livingston defender Brooklyn Kabongolo took an unnecessary risk to concede the penalty which cost his team a point at Dundee United on Saturday.

Marvin Bartley's team were on course to win their first league game since August when Lewis Smith's double put them 2-1 up at Tannadice.

But Krisztias Keresztes equalised and Kabongolo then fouled Zac Sapsford, who converted the resulting penalty.

"When you're not in a great position, you can't take a risk and that's what he's done," former Scotland forward Naismith said. "Sapsford gets in, keeps it in play and it was a comfortable finish."

Naismith also praised head coach Jim Goodwin, despite United missing out on a top-half finish this season.

"Where they have been and the job Jim Goodwin has done, it's progression," he said. "They are building and when you take a step back, they are safe and can build for next season."

Although Livingston seem destined to be relegated this term, Naismith thinks Marvin Bartley has likely earned the chance to manage them in the Championship next season,

"Marvin Bartley has put his own stamp on it and he should keep his job and build if they go down," he said."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Kelle Roos (Kilmarnock): Not the finest all-round performance but came up clutch deep into stoppage time to deny Dundee from the spot and save a potentially priceless point for Killie.

Alexander Jensen (Aberdeen): Pushed back a little bit but impressed at wing-back against Hibernian. Tanked up and down the touchline and coped well when Hibs were trying to put him under pressure.

Krisztian Keresztes (Dundee United): Admittedly, not the finest weekend for defenders, but the substitute hauled United level with an important header to allow them to push on for a late win against Livingston.

Will Ferry (Dundee United): And here's the man who set him up. Ferry also opened the scoring with a superb solo goal at Tannadice.

Hyun-jun Yang (Celtic): Few in green and white impressed in a narrow win over St Mirren at Celtic Park, but the South Korean showed up again.

Nicolas Raskin (Rangers): For his second-half showing at Falkirk. The Belgium international was like a man possessed after the break with an abundance of fight, quality and creativity on show. Displayed his very best as Rangers ripped Falkirk apart in a bonkers second 45.

Beni Baningime (Hearts): Back alongside Cammy Devlin in the engine room and back pulling the strings for Hearts. A classy performance - again - in the crucial win over Motherwell.

Emmanuel Gyamfi (Aberdeen): Outside his needless incident with Hibs striker Owen Elding, for which he was shown a yellow card after a VAR review, the wide man was Aberdeen's biggest threat in one of his better performances for the Dons. Hooked balls in at every chance he could, something Stephen Robinson will be desperate to see more of.

Sabah Kerjota (Hearts): Came on in the 66th minute and immediately became Hearts' set-piece taker, whipping in inviting deliveries - including one that led to the second goal. His cameo performances have impressed to the point there is clamour for him to start the upcoming Edinburgh derby over Alexandros Kyziridis.

Kevin Nisbet (Aberdeen): The man grateful for those deliveries from Gyamfi. Kept his cool from the spot against his former side before smashing the much-needed second over the line... just. Big, big goals and an equally impressive all-round performance.

Lewis Smith (Livingston): Doing all he can to keep Livingston in the league, chipping in with another two goals. Even if the Lions are relegated, which is increasingly likely, Smith should remain in the top flight. One wouldn't think he'd be short of suitors.

Watch all five goals in United's win against Livi.

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Marvin Bartley insists no-one at Livingston is ready to give up on retaining their Premiership status.

The rock bottom Lions stunned Dundee United at Tannadice when they took a 2-1 lead thanks to a Lewis Smith second-half double but they ultimately lost the game 3-2.

The result means Livingston are now 12 points adrift of 11th-placed Kilmarnock with just five games to go and 15 points left to play for.

However, boss Bartley is adamant the players will not be running up the white flag just yet.

The 39-year-old said: "They haven't given up and we won't allow them to give up.

"There were harsh words spoken at half-time because we needed a reaction from some individuals.

"Smithy was one of them because I didn't think he had the best of first halves.

"He got us 2-1 up but we have to be better in those moments afterwards."

Bartley added: "The manner of the goals, even the first goal, we throw ourselves to the floor and I'm massive on that not happening.

"The boys know it, we let him inside and then it goes through someone's legs.

"Just stand up and let the ball hit you, it's just a bit of leather with some air in it so you have to be braver in those situations."

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Livingston manager Marvin Bartley told the club's social media account:

"It's a really tough one, especially with the manner of the goals we conceded today. It's difficult to take.

"I don't think Dundee United had to do too much today to score other than be a little bit stronger and a little bit more aggressive to get to the ball.

"Some stern words were said at half time and some tactical changes and I was happy with their reaction but if you concede three goals away from home it's almost impossible to get anything out of games.

"I felt the boys gave an awful lot today. They're hurting and the staff are as well, it's a hard one to take."

Zac Sapsford's stoppage-time penalty sealed an unlikely comeback victory for Dundee United to deny Livingston a first Scottish Premiership win since August and edge their apparently inevitable relegation even closer.

Read the full match report here.

Have your say on the match here.

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Dundee United are without goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer, winger Kristijan Trapanovski and midfielder Isaac Pappoe for the rest of the season.

Defender Brooklyn Kabongolo returns from suspension for Livingston while midfielder Macaulay Tait is available again after being unable to face parent club Hearts.

Forward Connor McLennan is still out, but midfielder Aidan Denholm is on the mend after a long-term hamstring injury.

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Livingston forward Stevie May insists the team have not accepted relegation is certain but knows they have to start winning games to survive.

With six games to play, the team are bottom of the Premiership, 11 points behind Kilmarnock, and look destined for a quick return to the Championship one year after promotion.

Manager Marvin Bartley has overseen an upturn in performances since succeeding David Martindale as manager and have drawn five of their last six games, and May believes that shows encouraging signs but more is needed to make a great escape.

"Obviously, ideally, we would have turned some of those draws into wins,"the veteran attacker said ahead of his side's trip to face Dundee United. "I think some performances have been there.

"We've probably said throughout the whole season that we've been quite close but not quite there but it's something to build on.

"We're still believing in here. If we can look at this weekend, get a result and hopefully results go our way and try and put a bit of pressure on.

"It's obviously unlikely for people looking in, but we've still got a chance and we've got to give it everything we can this weekend.

"It's a strange one in the sense that we've actually had a lot of joy against the big teams this year.

"I can't really understand how we've not managed to put more points on the board. It's not as if we've been well beaten every game.

"A lot of goals at bad times in games have killed us and probably stopped us going on a positive run.

"Obviously we are in a little unbeaten run now, but we're at a position where unbeaten is not going to get us out of anything.

"It needs to be a winning run and that's what we are going to try and put together and finish the season as strong as possible and see where we lie."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Livingston boss Marvin Bartley has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to travel to Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.

Here are the main points:

• Bartley says there was "nothing surprising" about their post-split fixtures but feels "we were probably due four home games and one away and somehow we've ended up with two home and three away".

• The Livi boss is "very, very comfortable" with the situation surrounding his contract, which expires at the end of the season, adding: "Football always finds a way of working itself out."

• There are players who will be out of contract in the summer and Bartley admits "they haven't had talks" yet, but stresses that, just like him and his coaching staff, they are all still "working away".

• Livingston are currently bottom of the Premiership, 11 points behind Kilmarnock in 11th with six games to go, but Bartley stresses "the attitude has been top class" from his players.

• The Livi boss referenced the 2-2 draw against Hearts at the weekend where, having led the game, they found themselves 1-0 down. He admitted "it would have been easy for us to chuck it" at that point.

• He insists "we won't allow players to come off it or show any attitude other than 100 per cent" and stresses "if they do that, they just won't be in the squad".

• Livi have only won one game, back in August, and Bartley "understands" the situation the club are in "is because we haven't won enough games".

• Team news: Bartley says everyone is OK. Both Brooklyn Kabangolo, who returns from suspension, and Macaulay Tait will be back in the squad for the trip to Tannadice.

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• Dundee United and Livingston have dropped the joint-most points from winning positions in the Scottish Premiership this season, with 22 each. Dundee United, though, are joint-leaders for points gained from a losing position (13, level with Celtic).

• Livingston have 16 points from 32 league games this season; the only side to have 16 or fewer after 33 games when the division splits in the Scottish top flight under its current format (since 2000-01) were Livingston themselves in 2005-06 (15).

• Dundee United have won both of their last two home league games, and could win three in a row in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since October 2021.

• After their 3-1 defeat in December, Livingston could lose back-to-back top-flight meetings with Dundee United for the first time since February 2005.

• Dundee United have won both of their last two Scottish Premiership games against newly promoted opponents, last winning three in a row in January 2015.

Stuart Barrie
Fan writer

This game had a bit of everything, including all four seasons in 90 minutes.

It is another draw when we desperately need wins, but it is such an important point. We scored two goals against this season's long-standing league leaders and showed we are a good team.

In the first half, we flew out of the blocks and got a great goal, but for long periods it was tough going.

Hearts had us on the ropes, but couldn't put us down.

We showed fantastic resilience, and at times we also played some really neat football. We moved the ball quickly when we needed to, and for anyone watching this game on television, they would have surely found it entertaining too. I certainly did.

Hats off to the Jambos, they came through in huge numbers and made a great noise too. I don't mind opposition teams filling our stands; it's cash in the bank, and I genuinely think the atmosphere helps lift our players, too.

That said, the noisy visitors from the capital had an influence on the referee, I felt.

He made some odd decisions for me, not least having to get VAR to save his blushes for missing an obvious wrestling move for Hearts' red card.

At the end of the day, we are a point better off, a point closer to Kilmarnock, but it still feels like it's too far a bridge to cross to get out of the relegation mire.

It does show we have improved under Marvin Bartley, and if we can keep the majority of his squad, we should have a right good go in the Championship when the inevitable drop happens.

Until then, I'd like to enjoy more games like this, matches where we go for it and actually win a game.

I can take relegation, but it would be terrible to only win one game all season.

If the remaining matches are played as we did for this one, then we may just get that highly elusive win.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

GK: Raphael Sallinger (Hibernian)

Almost seems to get in by default at the moment because of another weekend lacking any outstanding goalkeeping performances. A couple of saves and a clean sheets means the Austrian gets the gloves again.

RB: Dujon Sterling (Rangers)

A solid performer at Ibrox and nabbed a goal in the vital 4-2 win over Dundee United.

CB: Luke Graham (Dundee)

A colossus at the back for the Dark Blues all afternoon. Unfortunate to be on the losing side.

CB: Alex Gogic (St Mirren)

Seldom a weekend goes by when this team of the week favourite doesn't find his way into the starting XI. His brilliant headed goal against Aberdeen and a clean sheet earns him another call-up.

LB: Jordan Obita (Hibernian)

Set up the goal for Felix Passlack after Owen Elding's pass unlocked the Kilmarnock defence. An effective presence down the Hibs left.

CM: Felix Passlack (Hibernian)

Another big goal for the former Borussia Dortmund man. The German has a knack for arriving in the box at just the right time.

CM: Stevie May (Livingston)

Once upon a time had the flowing locks and the killer touch of a goal machine number nine in his glorious St Johnstone era. These days he has refashioned himself into one of Livingston's most versatile players.

Age and injuries take their toll on all players but his precision finish and general clever play were fundamental for Livingston in their draw with Hearts.

FW: Owen Elding (Hibernian)

What a prospect he looks for Hibs. The 20-year-old who arrived from Sligo Rovers opened the scoring after 13 seconds against Kilmarnock and his pass to unlock the Killie defence for the Passlack goal was a measured thing of beauty.

FW: Lawrence Shankland (Hearts)

Powered in his headed goal and looked the part all afternoon against Livingston. Full of invention, poise and confidence. But, crucially, it's his killer instinct in the box that counts most.

With the national team struggling for goals, will he be Scotland's go-to man for the World Cup opener against Haiti?

FW: Claudio Braga (Hearts)

Player of the season? A joy to watch, every part of his game looks great right now. Never a doubt the goal would be scored when the chance came his way.

Could the partnership with Shankland be the key ingredient that gets the Hearts title tilt over the line? Earns extra points for me for his desire to stay on his feet in the box rather than look for a penalty.

FW: Calvin Miller (Falkirk)

A contender for the Scotland squad? The national team could do with a creative winger with pace and Calvin Miller has been providing that all season in the Premiership for Falkirk.

The stats add up as well, seven goals and 10 assists in all competitions.

Watch Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts drop two precious points in a thrilling draw at bottom side Livingston.

Available in UK only

Hearts inched back to the top of the Scottish Premiership but could only muster a disappointing draw against the league's bottom dwellers Livingston.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Livingston boss Marvin Bartley: "I'm delighted with the players. They dealt with adversity really well today.

"When Hearts went ahead, we had to show some character and we did that in abundance. The subs came on and improved us, made us more solid and caused them problems.

"We have to hit these heights every week. Where we end up at the end of the season is where we deserve to be.

"We have to go again and do it next week. It's the most difficult thing in football, to have consistency, but we need to show it now.

"The mindset today was good, they went out and did what they need to do. Good teams and good players bounce back, and we showed that today."

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Livingston head coach Marvin Bartley is hoping his players can use a bustling Almondvale to their advantage - even if it is mostly full of Hearts fans.

The bottom club host Derek McInnes' table-topping side on Sunday, with the visitors bringing 7,000 fans to fill three of the four stands.

"As a footballer you want to play in front of full houses," Bartley said.

"Whether it's your fans or the away fans, you want to see a full stadium.

"I think if you ask any of my players, I think they would definitely prefer what they're going to go into on Sunday.

"Ultimately you have to try and use it to your advantage and motivate yourself to go out there and show that you're as good as the players you're playing against."

Hearts could find themselves second in the table going into Sunday's game should Rangers win at home to Dundee United on Saturday.

But Bartley has praised the work McInnes has done this season.

"I think they've surprised everyone, from the point of view that you always expect it to be Celtic or Rangers up there," he added.

"To do what they've done is unbelievable, they deserve massive praise. Maybe at the start, people were saying, 'they'll fall away sooner or later' but here we are with seven games to go and they're still top.

"There's an expectation now on them rather than, 'let's see how far they can go', and they've dealt with that and taken it in their stride. The consistency that they've shown has been top tier and that's why they're top of the league."

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Livingston will be without the suspended Brooklyn Kabongolo and Macaulay Tait, who is unable to face his parent club. Connor McLennan (ankle) is still out, but Aidan Denholm is closing in on a return after a long-term hamstring injury.

Hearts welcome back defenders Craig Halkett and Stephen Kingsley after injury, while Stuart Findlay has a chance of being involved. Tomas Magnusson, who was set to return after a broken cheekbone, is now out with a thigh injury, while Harry Milne (calf), Craig Gordon (shoulder), Ageu (thigh) and Calem Nieuwenhof (hamstring) are still out.