Marvin Bartley has raided his old club Hibs for his first signing as Queen of the South manager.
The former Easter Road midfielder took over at Palmerston last week, leaving his post as Livingston’s assistant boss for his first shot at the top job.
Bartley, who watched from the stands as his side reached the Scottish Challenge Cup semi-final on Tuesday night, has snapped up Hibs defender Jack Brydon.
The 19-year-old has become the new gaffer’s first recruit since replacing Wullie Gibson in the Queens dugout.
He joins on a two-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
Spending the first half of this season on loan at FC Edinburgh, Brydon made 19 appearances and scored one goal.
His loan was cut short at the start of 2023 and he has now joined up with Bartley, the SFA’s Equality And Diversity Advisor, in Dumfries.
Livi boss Davie Martindale has moved quickly to find a replacement for his close friend at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
READ MORE: Are Queen's Park falling into the same traps as Gretna?
Neil Hastings has been promoted to the number two position, whilst ex-Hearts and Scotland centre-back Christophe Berra has joined the Almondvale backroom staff.
Martindale said: “I’m delighted to announce that Neil Hastings has agreed to become the new assistant manager at Livingston Football Club following the departure of Marvin Bartley to Queen of the South.
“It was year ago that Neil joined the backroom staff at Livingston as a first-team coach and he has proved to be a huge asset for the team and resultantly, I felt it was important to reward him with the position of assistant manager.
“It’s certainly a step up in terms of responsibility but one that I have no doubt Neil will take in his stride.
“I’m also pleased to announce that Christophe Berra will come in and fill the first-team coaching role that Neil will leave behind by stepping up.
“Christophe was a highly respected footballer and I believe he will become a hugely important member of my backroom team. He brings a wealth of experience as a professional footballer at the top level having had a top career as a defender.
“Christophe will bring a huge amount of that experience into the club given what he’s done and where he’s been over that playing career, albeit, he is in the early stages of his coaching career.”
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