Heart of Midlothian goalkeeper Michael McGovern has joined Livingston on loan until the end of the season.

The 39-year-old 39 has sealed a short-term switch to West Lothian with Livingston facing a goalkeeping crisis.

McGovern joined Hearts in the summer to provide competition to Zander Clark and also assist in the development of youth players. His Hearts deal expires at the end of the season.

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A Hearts statement confirmed: "Michael McGovern has joined Livingston on loan.

"The goalkeeper joins the West Lothian outfit on a deal until the end of the season.

"39-year-old Michael checked in at Hearts in the summer of 2023, providing competition to Zander Clark and to pass on his wealth of experience to the club’s young players.

"Everyone at Hearts wishes Michael the best of luck at the Tony Macaroni Arena."

Livingston had faced an issue in goal with both keepers Jack Hamilton and Shamal George unavailable for games over in Turkey during the winter break.

But boss David Martindale was pleased to land McGovern as short-term cover as he commented: “I’m delighted to bring Michael into the building.

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“He brings a wealth of experience into the dressing room and is a top professional on and off the park which can only help the group.

“Ideally, it wasn’t a position we were overly looking to strengthen as I feel we could use the resources elsewhere but the trip to Turkey highlighted that we needed another ‘keeper in the building.

“Neither Jack or Shamal were available for the games over in Turkey due to injuries and Jack’s probably takes him beyond the January window so we felt we needed another goalkeeper in the building now.

“I would like to say a huge thanks to Heart of Midlothian, and particularly Joe Savage, for their help in getting this done.”