The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Livi offer Goodwillie a route back to top flight
Livingston will hand former Scotland star David Goodwillie a route back to full time football at the highest level if they can agree a transfer fee with League 2 club Clyde.
The 29-year-old, who has been with the Bully Wee since March 2017 and has a year left on his contract, has been the subject of a bid from the recently promoted Lions who have David Martindale in acting charge as they wait to appoint a new manager following David Hopkin’s resignation at the end of May.
While a bid is believed to have been made the clubs are ‘miles apart’ in terms of agreeing a fee, with Clyde believed to be looking for a six-figure payment for the three-times capped Scotland striker.
If the transfer does eventually happen it would see Goodwillie return to the Premiership for the first time since playing with Aberdeen and Ross County in season 2015-16.
It would also see Goodwillie become a full-time player for the first time since Lord Armstrong ruled, in a January 2017 civil action, that he and ex-Tannadice team-mate David Robertson had raped Denise Clair on a night out in Armadale, West Lothian, in January 2011.
Goodwillie, who started his career at Dundee United before moving to Blackburn Rovers for a fee reported as £2 million in 2011, was with Plymouth Argyle when Lord Armstrong’s decision was made and he left the Pilgrims in January 2017 to concentrate on an appeal, which he lost.
After playing amateur football for Perthshire team Doune Castle Amateurs, Goodwillie was signed by Clyde and he has scored 31 times for the Bully Wee.
His return to football sparked complaints, led by Clyde-supporting SNP MSP John Mason who pledged not to watch his favourite side while Goodwillie played for them.