LIVINGSTON Football Club are pleased to announce this morning that former coach Paul Hegarty has returned to Almondvale Stadium to take over as the new team manager.

Hegarty, who was part of the backroom team which guided the club to CIS Cup success in 2004, has signed on as manager until the end of season 2009/10.

The 54-year-old previously had spells as manager at Forfar Athletic, Aberdeen and latterly Dundee United before his previous spell with Livingston. Since leaving the club, Hegarty worked as assistant boss to Maurice Malpas at Motherwell and has also spent time working with the Scottish FA.

Speaking of his appointment today, Hegarty said: "I got the call from the Chairman about the job and I was immediately interested. What really enticed me was that I knew the club already and I know Davie Hay. And of course, I was here when the club won the League Cup.

"There is a good infrastructure at the club, a great setup and a lovely stadium. I am pleased to be here. The club are in a healthy position on the park. They may have had a few bad results over recent weeks, but that happens throughout the season. I just hope that I can get them back to the winning ways they had at the start of the season.

" I am here on an 18 month contract and within that time I want to get the club to the SPL. As a manager, you have to aim for the stars. It is time for this time to be back there.

"I have seen the team play a few times this season in a previous capacity and I know a bit about the squad. There is a good squad here. If they were winning games at the start of the season, there is no reason why they can't start winning again.

" The players will give their utmost to succeed, I am sure. They want to win games as much I do. And when that starts happening, I will be delighted."