David Goodwillie: Raith Rovers loan move back to Clyde sparks condemnation from Nicola Sturgeon

Raith Rovers have loaned striker David Goodwillie back to Clyde in a move that has sparked further condemnation from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Goodwillie, who was found by a judge in a civil case in 2017 to have raped a woman, had joined Raith from the Cumbernauld side at the end of the January transfer window in a move that sparked a major public outcry.

The controversial signing caused a severe backlash among Raith supporters, leading to resignations of two directors as well as several long-serving club volunteers, while the women's team cut ties to form a new breakaway side.

Val McDermid, the famous crime author, also ended her lifelong association with the Kirkcaldy club, which included withdrawing her financial sponsorship and transferring it to the newly-named McDermid Ladies.

Raith subsequently apologised, confirming Goodwillie would not be playing for them as they reviewed the forward's contractual position, having signed a two-and-a-half year deal, as well the composition of their board.

The Stark’s Park side, who have not won a league match this year, have now confirmed that the 32-year-old will return to the Clyde on loan until the end of the current season, thanking the League One outfit "for their co-operation" in a brief two-sentence statement.

McDermid immediately responded on Twitter, stating: "Disgusted doesn't even begin to touch it. All that mealy-mouthed stuff from the board about contract-ending negotiations? Do Raith Rovers think we'll all have forgotten about this by the end of the season?"

Having been critical of Raith's initial decision to sign the striker, Scotland's First Minister also weighed in, hitting out at Clyde for taking their former club captain back.

She tweeted: "For the