Livingston manager Paul Hegarty has been denied entry to the club's Almondvale stadium after being suspended by the club on Saturday.

Hegarty and his assistant Graham Robertson were turned away from the stadium on Monday morning.

Brian Johnstone, from the GMB union, told BBC Scotland the club have yet to explain the decision.

"The two lads have been suspended with no reason given and we find that quite strange," said Johnstone.

Livingston chairman Angelo Massone is currently in Italy and is not due to return until Thursday 7 May.

Hegarty signed an 18-month deal to take over at Almondvale in December, having replaced the sacked Roberto Landi.

The former Dundee United manager has not yet commented on the suspension, but it has been made clear he will not manage the First Division outfit again.

I've asked if we can find out the reason why Graham and Paul were were not allowed into the stadium Brian Johnstone, GMB union

Massone told BBC Scotland on Sunday he had been unhappy with the team's recent performances and said Hegarty would be the subject of an internal investigation, without specifying the matter under scrutiny.

Johnstone added: "I've asked if we can find out the reason why Graham and Paul were were not allowed into the stadium."

Meanwhile, Billy Kirkwood, Hegarty's former Dundee United colleague, told BBC Scotland he was surprised at the move.

"I think the team has done well under his stewardship and hopefully this can be resolved," he said.

Livingston sit sixth in the First Division table, with two matches of the season still to play.

They were fifth, six points off top spot, when Hegarty, who had short spells in charge at Dundee United and Aberdeen, assumed control of the first team.

Former Scotland international Hegarty spent most of his playing career with United and also spent time at Hamilton and St Johnstone.

He was player-manager of Forfar Athletic from 1990-92 before his caretaker manager's posts at Pittodrie in 1999 and Tannadice between 2002 and 2003.

Hay returned to the West Lothian club as an advisor when chairman Angelo Massone led a takeover in the summer.

He led Livingston to League Cup glory in 2004 and had a spell as co-manager with Jim Leishman, securing promotion to the Premier League in 2001.

A club statement said that his position as interim manager would be reviewed over the summer, with a view to a possible permanent appointment.

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