MARK Burchill fell out of love with Scottish football and took his talents abroad.

Now the former Celtic and Scotland striker has returned as part of a new management team charged with turning round the fortunes of Livingston.

Burchill has been appointed as a player/assistant to the Englishman Richie Burke, who takes the manager's job after acting in an interim capacity following the sacking of Gareth Evans. Both men have signed contracts until summer 2015 and Burchill, who had been playing in Thailand with Esan United, will be available to play once the club receive international clearance.

The six-times capped Burchill, who played in Cyprus after leaving Kilmarnock in 2010, believes he has a lot to offer following a career-enriching spell abroad.

"I was interviewed for the job but I think they felt I was inexperienced as a manager. I think this is a perfect match; it keeps continuity with Richie being the manager. We get on so well because the type of football we want to play is the same.

"I got disillusioned with Scottish football, with the way I was getting told to play. That's why I left. I was a small striker getting told to chase long balls. Looking back, I wish I'd done it four or five years earlier. I felt the two or three years abroad were worth seven or eight in Scotland, in terms of what I learned.

"[Being abroad] changed my whole outlook . . . and hopefully I can put the full package together here and take Livingston on with Richie."

Burke began his career with Liverpool and Everton before plying his trade in America and Australia. The 51-year-old returned to the US to coach Major League Soccer side DC United before accepting an invitation to become development manager at the Livingston Youth Foundation. He talks highly of Burchill, who he got to know during an SFA coaching school.

"We did some of our badges together and we hit it off right away," said Burke. "Burchy had said to me: 'If I get a job, any chance of you coming in as my assistant?' I said: 'Yeah, no problem.' This was a few years ago and, at the time, I was deeply ensconced in America but we have a great relationship. He is going to bring something that is a little bit diffe rent, as well as the playing aspect, and we can't wait to get going.

"It really is a new era at this club. I think the fact Burchy and I have had international experience and worked with different cultures will bring something new to the table at this club."