Neil Hastings rejoins the Lions as first-team coach.
Livingston FC is pleased to announce that former-Lions player Neil Hastings has returned to the club as a first-team coach.
Having most recently been manager of Lowland League side Gala Fairydean Rovers, Neil returns to the club after leaving as a player in 2014 to fill the vacancy in the coaching staff left by Dougie Imrie’s departure to Greenock Morton.
After returning to the club, Neil said: “It’s great to be back at the club after all these years. I was fortunate enough to come through the youth academy here so the club has a special place in my heart so it’s good to be back about the place again.
“A big thank you to Davie Martindale for giving me the opportunity to come in and coach in the Premiership and I’m looking forward to helping to continue the positive and progressive journey that the club has been on over recent years.
“I really enjoyed my time at Gala, a club full of great people and I wish Jimmy all the best in his new role but I’m looking forward to getting stuck in here and doing my best to help improve the club and improve my own skills as a coach along the way.”
Manager David Martindale said: “When I first came into Livingston Football Club 8 years ago, Neil Hastings was already part of the coaching staff and used to help out with the youth academy and I remember Neilly making me feel really welcome in my first year at the club.”
“Unfortunately, resources and finances at the club were cut the following year and sadly, Neilly didn’t have his contract renewed at the time so it was always in the back of my head that, if at all possible, and if we were in a better place in the future, I would look to try and bring him back because I think he was a wee bit unfortunate last time round and I already knew he was a really good coach.
“With Dougie moving to Morton, it opened up a hybrid role for a first-team coach and someone to help out in the youth academy and Neilly fitted the bill perfectly. I’ve always kept in touch with him for the last 7 or 8 years and I know how good a coach he is and he’s now been out coaching men’s football, adding that to his CV, so is coming back into the club as a better coach than when he left.
“I’m delighted to bring him back in and delighted to be able to give someone an opportunity into professional football because it can sometimes be somewhat of a closed shop and very difficult to get in.
“I was given an opportunity here myself 8 years ago and I’m delighted that I can offer that same opportunity to Neil Hastings and equally delighted that he’s accepted the job.”
Welcome back, Neilly!
