Livingston

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• This will be Neil McCann's first Scottish Premiership game as manager of Kilmarnock, and first at all in the competition since he lost 2-1 to Killie in his final game in charge of Dundee in October 2018.

• McCann is looking to become the first manager to win his first top-flight match with Kilmarnock since Paul McDonald as interim in October 2017 (2-0 v Partick Thistle), while the last permanent appointment to do so was Jim Jefferies in March 2002 (3-2 v Dundee).

• Livingston have only lost one of their past eight Scottish Premiership home games against Kilmarnock (W5 D2), winning three of their last four (D1) since a 3-1 defeat in October 2020.

• Kilmarnock have lost both of their past two league games against newly-promoted opposition, both to Falkirk in November (3-1) and December (1-0). Killie last suffered three successive top-flight defeats to promoted clubs in May 2009 (three in a row to Hamilton).

• Livingston are winless in 18 league games (D5 L13), their longest ever run in the top flight. Their tally of nine points is the lowest any side have had from their opening 20 games of a Scottish top-flight campaign since Partick Thistle in 2003-04 (also nine).

• Kilmarnock are winless in 14 league games (D3 L11), their longest run since also going 14 without a win from September 1999 to February 2000.

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Alex Tamm is relishing the prospect of going up against his Estonia team-mate Michael Schjonning-Larsen if he makes his Livingston debut in Saturday's relegation showdown with Kilmarnock.

The 24-year-old striker, capped 19 times, this week joined the Lions on loan from Slovenian top-flight side Olimpija Ljubljana until the end of the season.

"One of my friends from the national team joined Kilmarnock and so it's really exciting," Tamm said of Estonia defender Schjonning-Larsen, who joined Killie this month from Levadia Tallinn.

"There is also the old Motherwell striker, Henri Anier, who I'm also really close to. Before joining here, I spoke with him about everything and he said this league would really fit me well.

"That helped me get to the final decision. They were really encouraging words towards me and so in the end, it made it easier to make the decision."

Tamm, who hopes his move to Livi will keep him in the Estonia squad, believes his "workrate" can help his new team in their quest to get off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

"I would describe myself as a player who gives a lot to the team and through that, I know that I will get my chances as a striker," he said.

"I'm two feet on the ground always, really trying to help the team, and my aim here is to help the team achieve its goals and then I know that through that, I can help myself.

"I believe that I'm really dangerous in the box, I'm really aggressive. I put in a lot of metres every game, I have the capacity to run and help the team in as many ways as possible and I believe that I'm a good finisher."

We asked for your views on what business Livingston need to do during this January transfer window.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Malcolm: We need a goalscorer. An old-fashioned poacher - maybe two. Heads held high is great but it doesn't get us points. A handful of really good performances so far but not enough goals. Oh, and did I mention we need a goalscorer?

Jaimie: We look a mess in defence and struggle to capitalise on chances. I think we need a creative midfielder who can get balls into our strikers and some more cover at the back.

Matt: The one thing that was patently clear from the performance at Hearts was that Livingston are crying out for a natural finisher. For all his excellent hold-up play and effort on Saturday, Tete Yengi showed again that getting the goals required to stay in the league is probably not something that should be placed on his list of responsibilities.

Malky: I honestly believe like a lot of other people who watch Livi, that we've got a squad that's capable of surviving in the top flight. But again being brutally honest, it's the leadership failing us and it really really hurts to say this.

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Estonia striker Alex Tamm has joined Livingston on loan from Olimpija Ljubljana.

The 24-year-old with 19 caps could be available for Saturday's home game against Kilmarnock, subject to international transfer clearance and Scottish FA approval.

Tamm moved to the Slovenian capital from Nomme Kalju in January 2025 and scored four goals in nine appearances for Olimpija.

He spent six seasons with Nomme Kalju, hitting 87 goals from his 171 outings.

Rock-bottom Livingston are winless in 18 games and have their work cut out to secure Premiership survival.

The club already signed midfielder Emmanuel Danso and winger Joshua Zimmerman in this month's transfer window - but where else do they need to strengthen?

And who would you like to see brought in?

Tell us your thoughts here.

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Former Falkirk and Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield, 37, is in talks to join Livingston. (Glasgow Times), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Stuart Barrie
Fan writer

A win at the home of the league leaders was always going to be a tall order, however a respectable performance was essential after the drab display against Dundee United.

While we didn't get any points from Tynecastle, we left with our heads held high and dare I say the manager may have got a few Livi fans back onside too.

Debutant Brooklyn Kabongolo was a stand-out. The big centre-half was assured on the ball and aggressive winning it back.

To be honest he was completely off my radar on loan at Arbroath. I'm glad the manager remembered him as the spell away to get some game-time has really helped the lad.

Our two new signings - Emmanuel Danso and Joshua Zimmerman - got on the pitch but other than clattering a Hearts player they didn't do too much. I've seen enough effort to be hopeful both will slot in and give a freshness to the squad.

The second-half showing was one of the best we've put in for a while. With better finishing we could have walked away with at least a point.

Big Tete Yengi had a decent game and his efforts up top were commendable. However, his goal return - two in 20 games - is a lot lower than everyone would like. Perhaps it's time for Robbie Muirhead to get a run at being the attack focal point as he was so effective doing it last season.

With the game against St Mirren postponed, it is now all eyes on a massive match against Kilmarnock, who will have Neil McCann in charge for the first time.

We've had our wake-up call, things weren't good enough recently and it's time to start delivering before it's too late.

Livingston are close to signing Olimpija Ljubljana striker Alex Tamm on loan until the end of the season. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

Watch highlights as Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts extend their advantage at the top with a narrow win over bottom side Livingston.

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Livingston manager David Martindale: "We rode our luck in the first 25 minutes. They worked on overloads down our left hand-side we couldn't get any pressure on the ball.

"Deservedly we went in 1-0 down. Then second half we were good value for money.

"We got pressure on the ball and controlled parts of the game and created good chances.

"The boys have got to take a lot of self belief and confidence from that. We didn't pick points up but Hearts are six clear and league leaders for a reason.

"They have a great squad, good management team behind them and a top club on the up.

"So I'm disappointed we didn't take something but looking at the performance there were a lot of positives."

The Livingston boss reiterates he expects two signings in the door by next weekend.

Hearts moved six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a hard-fought victory over bottom side Livingston in a game of contrasting halves at Tynecastle.

Have your say on Livingston's display.

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Livingston manager David Martindale says he doesn't know if his players have what it takes to survive in the Scottish Premiership after Tuesday night's 3-1 defeat to Dundee United.

Promoted Livi remain rock bottom of the Scottish Premiership with just one win in 19 games so far this term.

They travel to face league leaders Hearts on Sunday as pressure continues to mount but Martindale is starting to question the belief in his squad.

"There's going to have to be change," the Livi boss said.

"It's either me or the players, simple. Tuesday was the first time I seriously questioned the group of players. Everybody, including myself.

"That looked like a team that accepted being in a relegation [fight], or going to get relegated. I'm not accepting it, staff are not accepting it.

"That was the worst start we have had in the league this year, the worst performance at home. Second [best] all over the park. Bullied at the back, bullied up front, bullied in midfield.

"I've not got all the answers but you have got to question the mentality within the changing room.

"Once you cross over that white line, you have got to have the passion, that aggression to go and win a game of football. I don't think it was there.

"You've got to run, you've got tackle, you've got to have energy and desire, and I thought there were a lot of players on the park that lacked that."

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Hearts could hand new Dutch right-back Jordi Altena his debut. Pierre Landry Kabore is still on international duty and Calem Nieuwenhof, Ageu, Finlay Pollock (all hamstring) and Sander Kartum (hip) are all sidelined.

Livingston could include new signings Emmanuel Danso and Joshua Zimmerman.

They remain without Cammy Kerr (groin), Aidan Denholm, Shane Blaney (both hamstring) and Adam Montgomery (calf).

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• Heart of Midlothian have won each of their past four league games against Livingston; only from January 2005 to March 2006 have Hearts ever won five in a row against the Lions in the top flight.

• Livingston are winless in their past 14 top-flight away games at Hearts (D6 L8) since a 3-2 victory in May 2002.

• Hearts have won their first January game in each of the past four years in the Scottish Premiership, keeping a clean sheet in three of those victories.

• Hearts have won all three of their league games against Livingston (one) and Falkirk (two) so far this season, but haven't won four successive top-flight matches against newly-promoted opponents since November 2000.

• Livingston have conceded the most goals (39), have the highest xG against (36.8) and have the fewest clean sheets (one) of any side in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Stuart Barrie
Fan writer

Livingston's current situation is like a plane trying to take off but it's fast running out of runway.

The United game was way off where we have been. Everything at the start of the game felt flat. The crowd, the stadium the players and even the tunes before the game. It quickly went downhill once the game started.

Our passing was poor, the players ran but never seemed to win any footraces and were second best to everything. We were bullied in defence and midfield with our attackers starved of any sniff of a chance all through the game. Rotten night, totally reminiscent of the types of performances in the relegation season not too long ago.

Will we go down again? Quite possibly.

It's a bottom of the barrel shoot-out between us and Killie it seems. We play them in a couple of weeks and it's no understatement to say we need the real Livi team to turn up. There is lots of points to be played for but this Killie game is huge, probably season defining.

As the year ends in an abject display from Livi it is fair to look at the calendar year and appreciate the clubs' achievements. We won the play-off final and we won the SPFL Trust Trophy. Personally, I've enjoyed the games again, even the defeats (recent Dundee United aside – that was an awful night) haven't been too bad. Although the end of 2025 is a little sour there is plenty Livi fans have enjoyed this year.

I think David Martindale has earned the chance to turn this season around, I also think fans are too quick to call for people to go in general and patience is a rare commodity in football these days.

Martindale deserves the chance save the season however his January signings are incredibly important. They will have to hit the ground running and then some.

That said if things don't improve, and quickly, I think Davie will have to take stock of things. I genuinely hope for good performances and, more importantly, points in January so our season can finally take off.

We asked for your views after Livingston's winless run was extended by a 3-1 home defeat to Dundee United.

Here's what some of you said:

Matt: At no other club would a run this poor not result in a managerial change. If the new owner is serious about wanting to see his club thrive, there simply has to be a change of leadership, tactics and team selection ahead of the transfer window. David Martindale may not have lost the dressing room yet, but he certainly, and finally, has lost the fan base.

Derek: Having supported Martindale and praised him on an excellent job I just feel now he should do the honourable thing and resign. There's nothing there to prove that this team can avoid the drop - it needs fresh ideas in the club before it's too late.

Malky: Freezing cold night with a performance to match. Sorry to say it, but Livi are now well overdue a fresh approach at the helm.

Calum: Oh my goodness. First of all - that referee was absolutely awful. But even that didn't make the slightest difference - I've watched many games of football and I'm quite an enthusiastic person but I've never felt as empty as on Tuesday night. So many players giving up, and as much as I love Davie for what he's done with the club he must go - team selection every week is so poor. It's not all him though, but if it stays like this we're going down with a whimper. Again.

Brian: I was at the game and it's obvious to anyone that Livi are a team with an ageing spine and lack creativity in the middle of the park. It will take a miracle for Livi to stay up this season based on this performance.

Joshua: I just can't accept the fact we've lost 17 league games and Davie hasn't gone yet. I just don't understand why nothing has been said. It just can't keep going because I'm thinking right now we could be relegated well before the split. Maybe we are trying to equal Derby County's record for worst season for a club or something like that. Something needs to change now or we're in some serious trouble.

Malcolm: That was awful. I've never left a match before the whistle but I came close. Half way through it looked 80 per cent of the team had given up. There's only so much the back line and keeper can do. To turn this around we need more goals. The manager and backroom need to get this sorted, or fans will turn away.

Watch the pick of the action as Dundee United return to the Scottish Premiership top six with a 3-1 win at bottom club Livingston. (Available to UK users only)