Former Rangers and Hearts ace back in Scottish football after emergency signing

Former Rangers and Hearts defender Danny Wilson has agreed a short-term deal with Livingston until the start of 2025.

Experienced centre-half Wilson was a free agent after leaving Queen’s Park in the summer and the 32-year-old, who hails from the West Lothian town, will bolster David Martindale’s team as they look to win promotion back to the Premiership.

Livingston have suffered injuries to Brighton loanee Ben Jackson and Shaun Donnellan in defence, which has forced Martindale to bring in another player in that area.

Wilson could make his debut for Livingston in a top-of-the-table Championship clash away at Ayr United on Saturday.

Danny Wilson has signed a short-term deal at Livingston. | SNS Group

On the defender’s arrival, Martindale said: "After the update on Ben Jackson's injury from parent club Brighton & Hove Albion being worse than we had anticipated, coupled with Shaun Donnellan only recently having his surgery, I felt we were a little bit short in our defensive numbers.

“Hopefully Ben will be back before the end of the calendar year, but Shaun has a good bit still to go and looks like it will be more likely late in the season for his return.

"Danny had been in training with us, with a view to getting himself back to America so a short-term deal at this stage suited both parties.

"He has been brilliant in and around the club and I am looking forward to him now being able to join up with the group properly as Livingston player."

David Martindale has strengthened his options in defence. | SNS Group

Wilson started his senior career at Rangers before English Premiership side Liverpool signed him in 2010. After making appearances in the Premiership and Europa League, Wilson had loan spells with Blackpool and Bristol City before coming back to Scotland, this time on loan with Hearts.

He made the move to Tynecastle permanent in 2013, captaining the club to the Championship title and return to the Premiership before leaving to rejoin Rangers. After two-and-a-half years in Glasgow, Wilson moved to US, joining Colorado Rapids in the MLS and remained there until the start of this year when he returned to Scotland, joining Queen's Park.

Wilson has been capped five times by Scotland, scoring one goal.