Livingston

Right-back Nicky Devlin feared he would regret it if he did not join Aberdeen from Livingston. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

Friday's Scottish Gossip

Livingston have added to their backroom staff with Eugenio Sena, who joins as a first-team coach and analyst, and Macauley Kenney being appointed head of sport science.

Sena, a UEFA A licence holder, has coached in Greece, Saudi Arabia and Australia and worked in academies at clubs including Juventus, Internazionale, Chievo Verona and Debrecen.

Image source, SNS

We asked you what would represent success for Livingston in the coming season...

Stuart: A solid defence has always been key to what we do and it's even more important this season with teams again having much more spending power than us and using it well.

We've never been prolific, but we'll get enough (just) goals to win games from Bruce Anderson and Joel Nouble. Watch out for Stephen Bradley contributing a few I think too. Our midfield looks to be as industrious as ever and if we can keep Mikey Devlin fit then we'll have an even better shot at defying the odds.

New Livingston right-back Mo Sangare mistakenly went to the Tony Macaroni Arena instead of Queen's Park's Lesser Hampden for their recent friendly, reveals his manager David Martindale. (Sun), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip

Livingston are set to finalise the signing of South African forward Aphelele Teto.

Manager David Martindale and his staff came across the 20-year-old, who will join from TS Galaxy in his homeland, in Turkey during last term’s mid-season World Cup break.

Teto is expected to sign a four-year deal at the West Lothian club when he arrives on Thursday.

“We watched TS Galaxy training and this wee kid was unbelievable,” Martindale says. “He brought a smile to your face, so I kept in touch with the people at the club and we struck up a deal with no upfront fee.

“TS have a large percentage of any sell-on and we’ll keep a large percentage. If the player comes in and does well it’s a win-win for both parties.

“I think he’s one for the future, I won’t put too much expectation on him now. But I’ve not seen another kid at that age in Scotland with the technical ability he has, so I’m really excited for the future.”

David Martindale says Livingston's miserly defence is the "most pleasing aspect" of pre-season after admitting they shipped too many goals in the second half of last term.

The 1-0 win over Queen's Park on Monday night made it four clean sheets and three victories from four friendlies for Livi, who kick off the new season with a Viaplay Cup trip to face Brechin City on Saturday.

“That’s four clean sheets we've had and five goals we’ve scored, the four clean sheets is probably the most pleasing aspect from the previous four games,” said manager Martindale.

“At Murray Park [against Rangers] we got a 0-0 draw and they had a really strong team out but our shape was really good and we were intense.

“Form-wise I think we’re okay, we’re keeping clean sheets which is the most pleasing aspect.

“It's a big part of what I've been trying to build in pre-season going into next year because I don't think we did that well enough come the end of the year.

“We started last season very well in terms of the amount of clean sheets we managed to keep and the amount of games we won 1-0.

“We lost that momentum, energy and desire from January onwards so it's trying to reinstall that into the players and make sure we keep clean sheets which gives us a chance to go and win games."

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Bruce Anderson scored his second goal in two games as Livingston continued their pre-season preparations with a 1-0 win over Queen's Park at Lesser Hampden.

With his side having drawn 0-0 with Rangers in a closed-doors game then beaten Alloa Athletic 2-0, manager David Martindale's plans against the Championship side had to be altered shortly before kick-off in Glasgow.

Sean Kelly replaced Mo Sangere in the starting line-up, with the midfield summer arrival from Accrington Stanley dropping out of the squad.

The only goal of the game came after 50 minutes, when Scott Pittman forced a save from goalkeeper Callan McKenna and Morgan Boyes set up striker Anderson, who scored the second against Alloa, to head home.

Livingston fans, after a relatively comfortable eighth-placed finish last term, what's the key to success this upcoming season?

• Have your say here

With just under a week to go before Livingston start their domestic campaign, the West Lothian club have revealed the kit they will be showing off on the road this term.

Judging by social media reaction, the all-black Joma-manufactured strip is proving to be a hit with the fans.

David Martindale's side kick off their season away at Brechin in the League Cup group stage on Saturday.

Image source, Livingston FC

Livingston, St Mirren and Dundee United have joined the chase for Aaron Pressley, 21, but the Brentford centre-half may prefer to remain in England. (Scottish Sun), external

Livingston duo Esmael Goncalves and Scott Bitsindou are free to leave the club after being told they do not have a first team future by boss David Martindale. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, SNS

Jamie Brandon insists he is willing to adapt to any position in order to “play as much football” as he can.

The 25-year-old right-back scored Livingston’s opener in their pre-season friendly win against Alloa Athletic on Tuesday.

"If [more game time] means filling in for different positions, then that’s something I’m happy to do," Brandon said.

"Hopefully my performance showed that I can do that. It was a solid performance overall from the boys, it’s only our second game of pre-season.

"It’s good to build on our clean sheet from the first game and get minutes into our legs."

Livingston striker Bruce Anderson has been granted permission to hold transfer talks with Georgian club Torpedo Kutaisi, managed by Scotsman Steve Kean. (Scottish Sun), external

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, BBC Sport

Livingston scored in each half to defeat Scottish League 1 side Alloa Athletic.

Jamie Brandon's goal gave the Premiership outfit the edge at half-time.

Bruce Anderson doubled the hosts' advantage in the second half.

Livingston B have been drawn against University of Stirling in the first round of the SPFL Trust Trophy.

The Lowland League side will host the young Lions on either 1/2 August.

Should Livi progress, they will travel to take on Scottish League 2 side Clyde on either 15/16 August.