Latest news with #JamieBrandon
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Martindale welcomes 'newest version' of artificial surface
David Martindale says criticism of Livingston's artificial surface has been "unwarranted" but is looking forward to welcoming opponents to a new improved one in the coming West Lothian club's pitch is being upgraded this summer and the Livingston manager points out that it is the "newest version of our surface and Falkirk's", which has received some praise."I know everybody talks about it not being a good surface, but that probably comes from watching and not playing on it," he said of Livingston's has lost captain utility man Jamie Brandon to Kilmarnock but brought in four new players - winger Graham Carey from St Johnstone, defender Shane Blaney from Motherwell, plus forwards Connor McLennan and Zak Rudden from Ayr United and Queen's Park striker Stevie May has signed permanently after last season's loan from St Johnstone."I thought it was important to get as much Premiership experience in as we can," Martindale told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound. "They are all boys who have played in the Premiership and I'm giving some of them the opportunity to continue to do that but also giving some of them the chance to get back to the Premiership."Martindale admits his side will be slightly "undercooked" when the season starts with the League Cup group sections because they will be "a week to 10 days" later in starting pre-season because of playing in the Premiership Play-off final. "I've been involved in some big games with Livingston previously, but that tops the lot for me," he said of the victory over Ross County."In the manner of going behind, how we won the game, it was just a great way to end the season. I think it was a really good game of football for the neutral, but I think it was really good for Scottish football in terms of the play-offs - it is one of the formats that work."
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Former Hearts star leaves Premiership club 'disappointed' as he confirms transfer
A former Hearts star is reportedly set to join a Premiership rival just weeks after claiming promotion. Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A former Hearts defender has secured a move to a Premiership rival just weeks after helping Livingston secure promotion back into the top flight. Jamie Brandon joined the Hearts academy in 2017 and went on to make 30 senior appearances after making his debut in a 2-0 defeat against Celtic. However, Brandon went on to spend the second half of the 2021/22 season on loan at Championship club Greenock Morton before penning a pre-contract agreement to join Livingston on a free transfer during the following summer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad After racking up almost a century of appearances, what will now go down as Brandon's final season with Livi appeared to have ended in disappointment as they lost out to Falkirk in the race for the Championship title. However, a 5-3 aggregate win against Ross County in the Premiership play-off ensured Brandon and his team-mates had guided the club back into the top flight at the first attempt after they suffered relegation 12 months earlier. Former Hearts star linked to Kilmarnock move Speaking after a 4-2 win in the second leg at County's Global Energy Stadium secured promotion, the former Livingston captain said: 'It's been a special night and i'm ecstatic we've been able to get our club back to where we think it belongs. It's been a long season, we've played a lot of games and I think it's been excellent to come here and to put the performance in we have, it's been really special. The aim at the start of the season was to get promotion back to the Premiership, it didn't matter how we did that but to do it through the play-offs is a really special feeling and one everyone here will cherish for a long time.' However, Brandon will not make the jump with his side after Livi confirmed the versatile defender has 'decided to move on' after his contract came to an end. A post on X read: 'Jamie Brandon will depart the club on the expiry of his contract. We're obviously disappointed that Jamie has decided to move on. Jamie was instrumental last season and played a big part in our Trust Trophy & league success & leaves after huge success. Good luck, Brando!' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jamie Brandon joins Kilmarnock Speculation over Brandon's next club has ramped up in recent days with suggestions new Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell is keen to sign the 27-year-old. That deal has now been completed, Brandon penning a two year deal. Kettlewell said: 'We're delighted to sign Jamie, there have been a lot of clubs competing for his signature, so to get this over the line, we are extremely pleased. He's been a standout performer for Livingston, and he adds to the leadership qualities that we already have in abundance here. He's exactly the type of character we want at this football club, he understands the demands of Scottish football. 'Jamie fits in with the profile of players that we already have here, his addition will complement our squad. We want to build a squad with strong foundations and a real hunger to push forward. Jamie ticks all the boxes in that regard, and I'm delighted he's chosen to continue his career here at Kilmarnock.' Your next Hearts read: Hearts working to tie up two transfer targets - both men will cost a fee
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Kilmarnock secure Brandon after Livingston exit
Kilmarnock have secured Jamie Brandon on a two-year contract after the Livingston captain rejected a new contract with the promoted club as well as "a lot of clubs competing for his signature".The versatile 27-year-old defender had spent three years with the West Lothian outfit, who will be opponents next season after finishing runners-up in the Scottish Championship and beating Ross County in the Premiership Play-off becomes Kilmarnock's first signing since Stuart Kettlewell became manager and the former Motherwell boss is delighted to capture someone he believes was much sought after. "There have been a lot of clubs competing for his signature," he told his club website."He's been a standout performer for Livingston and he adds to the leadership qualities that we already have in abundance here. He understands the demands of Scottish football."Whitburn-born Brandon, who can play at right-back, right wing or central midfield, started his career with Heart of Midlothian and had a loan spell with Greenock Morton before joining made 98 appearances for David Martindale's side, including 48 out of 50 last season, all of them starts, and is delighted to have joined "a big football club".
Daily Record
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Fraser Murray latest player to exit Killie as Kettlewell eyes first signing
It's understood Killie are closing in on former Livingston skipper Jamie Brandon. Fraser Murray is the latest player to exit Rugby Park, Kilmarnock announced today. The 26-year-old midfielder is set to join Wigan Athletic on a two-year deal after his deal expires at Killie this week. Murray spent four years at Rugby Park and made 28 league appearances last season, netting four times before joining the English League One outfit. Murray is the latest Killie player to exit the club since the season ended with Joe Wright, Danny Armstrong, Innes Cameron and Bobby Wales among those leaving. A club spokesperson said: "Fraser Murray will depart upon expiry of his contract this week to join Wigan Athletic. "We'd like to place on record our thanks to Fraser for his contributions at Rugby Park over the last 4 years, from winning the Championship to playing in Europe. Best of luck, Fraser!" New boss Stuart Kettlewell has yet to bring any new signings to the club since he was appointed on May 26. It's understood that Jamie Brandon could be Kettlewell's first signing with Livingston announcing today that their skipper won't renew his contract with David Martindale's newly-promoted side.
STV News
09-06-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Livingston sign Connor McLennan but captain Jamie Brandon leaves club
Livingston have announced the signing of Connor McLennan from Ayr, but captain Jamie Brandon has opted to leave the newly-promoted William Hill Premiership club. Former Aberdeen winger McLennan was a key player for the Honest Men in the Championship last term and the 25-year-old, moving under freedom of contract, will join the West Lothian club on a two-year deal. However, the Lions, who earned their return to the top flight through the play-offs last month, have been left 'disappointed' by the news that skipper Brandon has turned down the chance to extend his three-year stay with the club. The 27-year-old former Hearts player, who can operate in defence or midfield, has been linked with a move to Kilmarnock. 'Jamie Brandon will depart the club on the expiry of his contract,' read a statement from Livi. 'We're obviously disappointed that Jamie has decided to move on. Jamie was instrumental last season and played a big part in our Trust Trophy and league success and leaves after huge success. Good luck, Brando!' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
