Hay returns to helm at debt-ridden Livingston

LIVINGSTON were last night plunged into fresh chaos after manager Paul Hegarty and assistant Graeme Robertson were dramatically suspended, with Hegarty told he will not manage the First Division outfit again.

The former Dundee United and Scotland defender was informed by chairman Angelo Massone on Saturday night – after the 1-0 defeat at Partick Thistle – that he and Robertson had been suspended. But under-pressure Massone, battling club debts understood to be around seven figures, gave no reason to Hegarty for the action, simply telling him not to come back.

Livingston have lost their last three league games to fall to sixth in the table, but only lost to Partick due to an injury-time penalty and Hegarty has been praised by fans for making progress with a youthful, depleted squad in trying circumstances.

Staff and players have regularly been paid late, forcing some non-playing employees to walk out, while a number of creditors are chasing money from Massone through the courts.

Massone is said to be unhappy with the team's recent performances and claims Hegarty will be the subject of an internal investigation, but over what matter has still to be disclosed. Robertson has also been ordered to stay away.

Hegarty, 54, said: "I can't comment at present. He (Massone] hasn't enlightened me as to why this is the case, I have no idea. I don't know what is happening.

"But what I will say is that the players have been absolutely brilliant for me. I feel sorry for them and the supporters."

Hegarty was only informed on his computer screen yesterday afternoon that former Livingston manager David Hay is to take charge of first-team matters for the final two games of the season. Hay, 61, returned to the West Lothian club as an advisor last summer when Massone and his Italian consortium led a takeover from Pearse Flynn. Hay's son-in-law, Tomasso Angelini, is on the Livingston board.

The former Celtic manager led Livingston to a CIS Cup final triumph over Hibs in 2004 – the club's only major trophy to date – and had a spell as co-manager with Jim Leishman, securing promotion to the SPL in 2001 and qualifying for the Uefa Cup.

A statement on Livingston's official website read: "Livingston will be managed by David Hay for the final two games of the 2008/09 season, after the club suspended manager Paul Hegarty with immediate effect.

"Hay will assume control of the first-team squad from Wednesday. His position as interim manager will then be reviewed by the board during the summer, with a view to a possible permanent appointment."

Angelini did not accept calls when contacted on the matter last night, leaving Hegarty perplexed.

The former Dundee United and Aberdeen manager moved to Almondvale in December and signed an 18-month contract, having replaced the sacked Italian, Roberto Landi.

Ged Nixon, spokesman for the Livi For Life Supporters Trust and the club's second largest shareholder, added: "We are bemused by this decision. We fully support Paul's efforts since he came into the club and are disappointed that the board have taken this step without giving clear and defined reasons for their actions."