Devlin and Shinnie lead the exodus from Livi
EXPERIENCED duo Mikey Devlin and Andrew Shinnie are among 10 players leaving Livingston following relegation, while a further four have been made available for transfer.
But departing striker Joel Nouble reckons losing manager David Martindale would be the biggest blow to the Lions’ hopes of an immediate top-flight return.
Defender Devlin is off after a relegation clause in his deal was activated, while experienced midfielder Shinnie has not been offered fresh terms.
Jason Holt’s departure has also been confirmed after Martindale admitted last week the player could not afford to accept the offer of reduced terms.
James Penrice, who has signed a pre-contract at Hearts, Bruce Anderson, Nouble, Ayo Obileye, Kurtis Guthrie, Jack Hamilton and Morgan Boyes also will not be at Livi next term after their deals came to an end.
Stephen Bradley, David Carson, Mo Sangare and Miles Welch-Hayes remain
under contract but have been put on the transfer list. Martindale remains in contract discussions with Cristian Montano and Sean Kelly.
Nouble won’t be around for the West Lothian side’s fight to get out of the Championship at the first attempt but he believes it’s massive for Martindale to remain in place.
The manager’s future is not certain due to a major court battle involving the club and Martindale admits he could quit.
Nouble is aware of Martindale’s position and explained: “It would be a blow because he has been here for I don’t know how many years, he knows the club in and out.
“The next month or two is going to be big going into next season if there’s going to be a new manager, new players.
“There could be a whole lot of change.
“Sometimes that is good, sometimes it can make it tougher.”