Livingston

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David Martindale has "genuine enthusiasm" for Livingston's return to the Premiership as new owner Calvin Ford has vowed to "back the club".

Livingston beat Ross County in the play-offs to secure promotion after just one season in the second tier.

"I'll be honest with you, I wouldn't have stayed at the club if I felt that it wasn't possible and we couldn't do this together," manager Martindale told BBC Scotland.

"This time last year, it was all emphasis on getting the club back to the Premiership and fortunately we've been able to do that.

"Everybody at the club has done that, we've always been that underdog, but last year was one of the most difficult I've had at the club personally, on and off the park.

"So to find ourselves back in the Premiership, we've got new owners, this is probably the first time in my 11 years at the club where I can look at a pre-season with genuine positivity, genuine enthusiasm because we're in a good place."

Martindale says Ford "won't throw silly money about" but will provide adequate backing to fund the club's attempts to stay in the Premiership.

"Since Calvin's come in, he's been brilliant with me," he added. "We've got a group chat. We're all on that. Calvin messages me quite a lot himself so he's given me assurances that he's going to back the club.

"He's not coming in to throw silly money about. That's not what he's all about and that's not what I'm looking for. Calvin's come in and said he's going to give us a chance of staying in the Premiership next year.

"He's going to back the club. He's going to bring people with the right skillset to look after the long-term future of the football club."

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Robbie Fraser says he's ready to "kick on" and make an impact at Rangers after helping Livingston to promotion.

The 22-year-old full-back made 23 appearances for the Lions after ing on loan in January and played every minute of their play-off campaign as David Martindale's men secured a Premiership return at the first attempt.

Now he has returned to Ibrox eager to impress whoever is appointed manager.

"I thought the level of the Championship was extremely high," Fraser told the Rangers website.

"It's a really demanding league and very competitive. Even going into the play-offs and then playing against Ross County, there's not a great deal between the bottom half of the Premiership and the top half of the Championship. It shows you how competitive Scottish football can be.

"It was exactly what I wanted - to go out and prove myself. I firmly believe I'm capable of playing for Rangers.

"I'll firstly enjoy my break and switch off, but I'll be preparing as hard as ever to go in as ready as I can be.

"There's a lot of excitement and fresh eyes, so it's about keeping myself in the best shape possible and trying to impress.

"I feel in a much better place in all parts of my game. I've got the games under my belt and have experience, so I'm in a good place to go and kick on at Rangers."

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Recently-promoted Livingston have been drawn alongside fellow Premiership side Kilmarnock, Kelty Hearts, East Fife and Brora Rangers in Group H of the 2025-26 Premier Sports Cup.

The opening group fixtures will take place on 12-13 July, with further matchdays on 15-16 July, 19-20 July, 22-23 July and 26-27 July.

The eight group winners and three best runners-up will Scotland's five European entrants - Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibernian and Dundee United - in the last 16 on the weekend of 16-17 August.

Livingston, who will return to the top flight next season after beating Ross County in the Premiership play-off final, won the League Cup in 2004 and finished as runners-up four years ago.

We asked for your views on Livingston's return to the Scottish Premiership after the play-off victory over Ross County.

Here's what some of you said:

Andy: Looked a far better team this season, particularly in the run-in and the play-offs. Ross County were poor across two legs and felt it would've been harsh for us to not secure promotion. Delighted for David Martindale and the team, hopefully we can kick on now and keep some of the quality in the side.

Brian: Fantastic second-half performance from Livi Lions, deserved victory after all the hard work over the season. Back in the Premiership at the first time of asking, superb!

Kevin: Well done lads from a long-time er from the south coast of England. What a great comeback!

Del: Too much is made of the artificial pitch, artificial pitches are the future in Scottish weather conditions, wake up SPFL. Good players and a good manager got his tactics spot on. Calvin Ford give Davie the he needs and he'll take Livingston into Europe. Don't you just love fans telling Livi what they want from us and how we should play, no doubt in a manner that allows you to maximise your chances of winning. Davie points out he has the lowest budget because it's true and that leads to a necessary way of playing.

Livingston are back where they belong after overcoming Ross County in the play-off final to seal a Premiership return, says defender Danny Wilson.

Wilson headed the leveller in Dingwall as David Martindale's side superbly fought back from two down to triumph 4-2 and climb out of the Championship at the first attempt with a 5-3 aggregate success.

"I didn't think we deserved to be two behind. We started the game fairly well then shot ourselves in the foot," Wilson told BBC Scotland.

"But we showed great character, and what a goal by Lewis Smith to get us back in the game. That came at a really important time and settled us before half-time.

"Over the two legs we are deserving to be back in the Premiership. A lot of things get thrown at us – but we believe we're a good team. We've shown that over the course of these play-offs.

"The Premiership is a place the club deserves to be. We've had a difficult season but we've built and built as the campaign went on.

"We can look forward with real optimism for this team."

Livi stalwart Scott Pittman is relishing being back in the top flight at the age of 32.

"Delighted. It's been a long, hard season and we pushed Falkirk all the way. To get promoted and have the [Challenge] Cup win as well, it's been a great season," said Pittman.

"We've grown in confidence as the season's gone on and got better and better. We can take that into next season.

"Promotion was the goal at the start of the season and it's great to achieve it. I'm not getting any younger so it's just great to be back in the top flight."

Livingston are back in the Scottish Premiership at the first time of asking after their heroic play-off comeback against Ross County.

We want your views on Livi's success this season - and whether they can hold their own in the top fight next term.

Have your say here

Watch the best of the first-leg action from the Premiership play-off final as a stoppage-time penalty earns Ross County a 1-1 draw at Livingston. (Available to UK s only)