Marvin Bartley returns to the Tony Macaroni Arena this Friday night as his Stenhousemuir side visit Livingston FC in the Scottish Championship. The match, which will be broadcast live on BBC Scotland, marks Bartley's first encounter with his former employers since his resignation in May.
According to a report from the BBC, Bartley has not spoken to Livingston's sporting director David Martindale since leaving the club. The 40-year-old stepped down after being asked to reapply for his position at the end of last season. He then took charge at Stenhousemuir in January, stepping up from a backroom role after Martindale moved into his new position at Livingston.
How has Bartley fared at Stenhousemuir?
Marvin Bartley's start to life at Ochilview has been impressive. Stenhousemuir are currently unbeaten after nine matches in all competitions this season. In the Championship, they have three wins and one draw from their opening fixtures, including a notable 3-1 victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle last weekend. Bartley also oversaw a successful League Cup group campaign, which included a victory over Motherwell and a penalty shoot-out win against Livingston themselves. That cup result prompted a message from Livingston chairman Calvin Ford, who Bartley said sent him a 'lovely message' afterwards.
"At the time, I was definitely hurt in the days that followed - but if you're asking me now, my full focus is on Stenhousemuir," Bartley told the BBC. His team's strong form has them positioned well in the early standings, and they have a Scottish Cup quarter-final against Hearts to look forward to next Friday.
What is the current state of Livingston FC?
Livingston's own campaign has been more mixed under Martindale's direction from the boardroom. The Lions have won two and lost two of their league matches so far this term, leaving them in a mid-table position as they seek consistency. The club will be eager to use their home advantage this weekend to build momentum ahead of a busy period in the fixtures schedule. Key players will need to step up to counter Stenhousemuir's confident approach.
What did Bartley say about his Livingston exit?
The former manager was candid about the lack of contact since his departure. "No, I've not seen or spoken to Davie since leaving the football club," Bartley stated. He was appointed at Stenhousemuir after Gary Naysmith left to join Ayr United, providing a swift return to management. While the personal dimension adds intrigue, Bartley insists all his energy is directed towards his current team's objectives as they prepare for a tough away fixture.
Who are the key figures in this fixture?
The spotlight will be on the technical area, where Bartley will pit his wits against a Livingston setup still heavily influenced by David Martindale. Chairman Calvin Ford remains a supportive figure for both clubs involved. On the pitch, Livingston's squad, which fans can review on our squad page, will be tasked with ending Stenhousemuir's unbeaten run. The visitors will rely on the momentum they have built across their unbeaten start to the season. The match kicks off at 7:45 PM on Friday evening, live on BBC Scotland.
