Massone left Livingston perilously close to liquidation

Former Livingston owner Angelo Massone is interested in returning to Scottish football and would consider an approach from cash-strapped Kilmarnock.

The Italian businessman spent a year at Almondvale and left with the West Lothian club in administration and close to going out of business.

Livi survived but were demoted from the First Division to the Third Division.

Massone told BBC Scotland that SPL club Kilmarnock, who are £11m in debt, would be a "good target for me".

The Ayrshire club avoided relegation on the final day of the season, but chairman Michael Johnston has warned that further cuts to the playing squad will be necessary if fresh investment cannot be found.

Massone's troubled reign at Livingston came to an end last July, with the Italian accepting £50,000 to sell his shares, allowing Gordon McDougall and Neil Rankine to take over and prevent the club from going into liquidation.

If Kilmarnock think they need help then I'm ready to speak to their people and it's the same with other SPL clubs Angelo Massone

Under Massone's rocky stewardship, Livingston were taken to court for non-payment of rent to West Lothian Council, while payments to players were regularly overdue and the power at Almondvale was once cut off after an electricity bill was left unpaid.

"I'm ready to help in terms of money, opening new markets and starting new business with a Scottish Premier League club," he said.

"If Kilmarnock think they need help then I'm ready to speak to their people. But it's the same with other SPL clubs; we are ready to help."

Massone stressed he was not "desperate" to return to Scottish football but added that he would be more than willing to ease clubs' financial problems.

The former Livingston chairman said his turbulent reign at Almondvale had not put him off Scottish football.

"My motivation is to do business in football and creating new opportunities," he said.

"I think Scottish football needs more ideas and more experienced people around the market, not just Scottish people.

"Kilmarnock would be a good target for me."

Establishing networks with other European countries would benefit Scotland's top flight, he added.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version