Livingston boss doesn't expect January transfer kitty from new owners - but hopes they can keep hold of stars

Livingston boss David Martindale admits he doesn’t expect to be handed a January transfer window kitty by the club’s new majority shareholder.

However, the gaffer confessed he’s hopeful that they can be in a better position to keep hold of their out of contract players next season.

Baycup Ltd and John McIlvogue were announced as the club’s new majority shareholders last week and while they’ll underwrite any losses this season, Martindale says there will be no change to the budget until next term.

He said: “I think I’m realistic enough to know this year is firefighting. I think the company has come in and been vocal that they’re going to underwrite any losses. I don’t think that allows me to go and spend more money. I can’t see that changing.

“What I will look forward to is sitting around at February time and working on a budget for next year. I can’t see anything changing between now and the summer in terms of new money coming in.

“It’s about trying to get as much money into the club as possible and reducing the overheads but still trying to remain competitive within that. I think that’s going to be the story of the season and then I’ll look forward to sitting down with the board and working out a budget that hopefully gives us a wee bit more of a fighting chance.”

He added: “The biggest thing is trying to keep the players at the club. That continuity is far more important than trying to bring new players into the club.”

Players who are out of contract in the summer include James Penrice, Cristian Montano, Joel Nouble and Bruce Anderson.

Martindale also admitted simply seeing the owner of the club in and around the building was a positive after years of boardroom battles with shareholders.

He added: “ He (McIlvogue) came