Latest from STV News
STV News
13 hours ago
- Sport
- STV News
Martindale relishing having Bartley back at Livingston as coach
David Martindale is relishing the prospect of having Marvin Bartley back at Livingston as first-team coach. The 38-year-old former Bournemouth, Burnley and Hibernian midfielder initially joined the Lions as a player in 2019 and then became assistant boss before leaving to become manager of Queen of the South in 2023. Bartley – working predominantly as a pundit since departing Queens a year ago – has now been handed the chance to return to West Lothian after previous first-team coach Brian Rice moved into a new role as head of football operations ahead of the club's return to the William Hill Premiership. 'Brian's change in role left a void in the coaching team and it was a no-brainer to speak to Marv and see if he would like to come back and be a part of my coaching staff again,' Martindale told the Lions' official website. 'My relationship with Marv over the years has only grown ever since the day we signed him from Hibs. I have huge respect for him as both a person and as a coach. 'We have always kept in touch so I knew he was itching to get back on the grass and I'm just delighted we can get him back to the club. 'It's a hugely positive signing for myself and the club and I'm sure the players will really look forward to working with him. 'I feel bringing Marv back really softens the blow of losing Chipper (Rice) in the dugout, but having both of these guys at the club really is fantastic for everyone at Livingston.' Livingston have also re-signed midfielder Macaulay Tait on a season-long loan from Hearts. Tait, 19, was an ever-present in the second half of last season for Livingston, making 23 appearances as the club won promotion to the Scottish Premiership. 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
STV News
14 hours ago
- STV News
Man charged after guns, knives, and drugs recovered in police raid
A man has been charged after police recovered several weapons, including guns and knives, and drugs during a raid in East Lothian. The 34-year-old was arrested after the haul was found at a property in the Northfield area of Tranent on Thursday morning. Officers executed a search warrant at the address at around 9.40am. They found two stun guns, one air gun, several knives, and other weapons. A quantity of street diazepam with an estimated value of £5000, and a sum of cash were also recovered. The accused appeared at court on Friday and was released on bail. Sgt Ryan Gilhooly said: 'Drugs cause misery in our communities, and we are determined to disrupt the supply of illegal substances and trace those involved. 'We will continue to work tirelessly to tackle the supply of illegal drugs and seize dangerous weapons which can be used for criminal purposes. 'The public has a vital role and we would urge anyone with information or concerns about drugs in their area to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.' 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
STV News
15 hours ago
- Business
- STV News
Murray: Newspaper tycoon wanted to merge Celtic and Rangers into one club
Sir David Murray has revealed that former newspaper tycoon Robert Maxwell wanted to merge the Old Firm into one club. The ex-Rangers owner says he received a phone call from Maxwell in the late 1980s, not long after he had taken control of the Ibrox club. The controversial media proprietor, who owned the Mirror Group Newspapers from 1984 until his death in 1991, told Murray he planned to buy Celtic and asked if he would be interested in merging the two Glasgow clubs. In an interview with the BBC, Murray said: 'Shortly after I bought the club, I got a phone call at my house and my son answered. A voice said 'Is David Murray there' and it was Robert Maxwell. 'So I went to the phone and he said 'I am thinking about buying Celtic and we can put both Celtic and Rangers together as one and be a big force'. 'I told him 'I don't think you know the script up here, I don't think it's practical and I don't think it would work' and that was the end of the story. 'He wanted to merge Celtic and Rangers.' In another interview that was released on Monday, Murray, who is promoting his new autobiography, says he has apologised to Rangers fans for selling the club before it collapsed into financial ruin. He sold the Ibrox side for £1 to businessman Craig Whyte, and was at the helm when Rangers gave £47m in tax-free loans to players and staff between 2001 and 2010. The HMRC brought a case against Rangers centring on the club's use of Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs), which were also used by other clubs. The EBTs enabled the club to pay players, managers and directors through the tax-free loans, but HMRC argued the payments were earnings and should be taxable. Two tribunals – in 2012 and 2014 – ruled in Rangers' favour. But the Supreme Court found in favour of HMRC after an appeal in 2015. The club had been bought in May 2011 by Craig Whyte after Sir David initially struggled to find a buyer willing to take on a potential 'big tax case' bill. Mr Whyte was later cleared of fraud in relation to the takeover. Under Whyte's ownership, Rangers went into liquidation in February 2012 – just a year after the sale. The tipping point for administration was a £9m tax bill due to HMRC, and total debts reached more than £100m. The club was admitted to the third division of Scottish football. Murray, speaking to broadcaster Ewen Cameron and Up Next Studios, said he has apologised to Rangers fans and staff for his part in the collapse. 'I have apologised, but I did a lot of good things for the club. If you want to remember the negative, that's their choice,' he said. When asked if the EBT scandal led to Rangers' downfall, he answered: 'That plus Craig Whyte. 'The interpretation of the EBT by HMRC and Craig Whyte… I think they could have survived the first one but not the two put together.' He added: 'Craig Whyte was a mistake – I'm prepared to admit that. But on the evidence of the money, what he was going to do, it seemed the only course of action.' Sir David continued: 'I was disappointed for the fans first of all and I was also so disappointed for the people that worked there – people who had been so loyal to me – and all of a sudden their jobs were in jeopardy. 'How many plates can you spin? The average Rangers fan doesn't care about my other businesses – but so many in Scotland – a joiner in Fife a haulage firm in Melrose – were affected by the banking crises.' Sir David's autobiography Mettle is out on Monday, and all proceeds will go to the Erskine Charity. 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
STV News
15 hours ago
- STV News
Couple caught performing sex act on train between Glasgow and Edinburgh
Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was caught performing a sex act on a man during a train journey between Glasgow and Edinburgh. The couple boarded the ScotRail service from Queen Street around 7pm on June 8, travelling to Edinburgh Waverley. They sat in the seats closest to the doors at the back of the train. Shortly after leaving Glasgow, the woman was seen performing a sex act on the man until they were interrupted by the guard doing his checks. British Transport Police said the couple have been identified but they are looking for witnesses. The man has been described as white, in his late thirties, of regular build with a greying short scruffy beard and facial tattoos. He was wearing a black baseball cap, black hoodie and jeans and was carrying a black backpack. The woman was white, in her thirties, of regular build with blonde hair, and was wearing a dark fur coat and black trousers. Anyone with information is asked to contact BTP by calling 0800 40 50 40 or by texting 61016 – with reference 554 of June 8. Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 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
STV News
16 hours ago
- STV News
Family say dad 'died doing what he loved' following motorbike crash
The family of a man pronounced dead following a motorbike crash in Aberdeenshire said he died 'doing what he loved'. Graeme Noble from Arbroath was involved in a single motorbike on the B966 Fettercairn to Edzell road at Cairnton of Balbegno around 6.10pm on June 21. The 59-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services. In a statement released through Police Scotland, Mr Noble's family described him as a 'loving husband, amazing dad to his daughter and a great friend'. 'He had been a lover of motorbikes since a young boy and was lucky enough to die doing what he loved', they added. Police are continuing their investigations into the crash and have appealed for any witnesses to come forward. Sergeant Dave Cooper said: 'Our thoughts are with Graeme's family and our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances. 'We continue to appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and may have seen what happened or have dash-cam footage that could help.' Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3053 of Saturday, June 21, 2025. 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
