LIVINGSTON chairman Gordon McDougall's position was last night under threat after it emerged that he is considering his options to recover money due to him.

Despite being the driving force on the board of the troubled West Lothian outfit, it is believed that McDougall's relationship with those pulling the purse strings at Livingston has completely broken down.

Neil Rankine had been the Lions' principle shareholder until Wednesday when it was claimed that he handed over his 50 per cent stake to former director Robert Wilson, Neil Hogarth and Graham Leslie.

Businessman Rankine had been ordered to sell either his stake in Livingston or East Fife by the Scottish FA after being found guilty of breaching dual ownership rules.

News that the respected McDougall, who is believed to be due a five-figure sum, is being pushed out by the new owners is sure to concern the club's fans and the SFA.

McDougall has not officially given up his title as chairman and is currently on holiday but it is believed he has told those running the club that he will not return to his day-to-day duties under the current regime unless an agreement can be reached over payment of what he is due.

Livingston remain under a blanket signing ban which prohibits manager Mark Burchill from tying down existing players on fresh contracts.

As it stands, the Championship outfit only have three players signed up for next season and it remains to be seen whether SFA compliance officer Tony McGlennan is satisfied by Rankine's share transfer.

Livingston have endured a year of off-field woe after being fined £10,000 and docked five points by the Scottish Professional Football League last November of breaking tax rules.