I'D EUR-AEK-A MOMENT WITH £2M JAMES

DAVID MARTINDALE is delighted to see James Penrice close in on a £2million move to Greece - after rescuing him from the Championship wilderness.

- BY SCOTT BURNS

AEK Athens made a big-money swoop for the left-back after his stunning debut season at Hearts.

But it was Livingston boss Martindale who got the local youngster back on course for the top by taking him on loan for a season when he was struggling for games at Partick Thistle.

Martindale helped develop Penrice further after signing him permanently in 2021 and said of his impending switch to the Greek giants: “I am delighted for him.

“We signed James when we were in the Premiership. He was in the Championship with Partick Thistle and wasn't playing a lot of football for them.

“I'd had him on loan previously and I knew his mum and dad well.

“He comes from Livingston so it was relatively easy when we went back in to sign him permanently.