Livingston defender Alan Lithgow admits he’ll need to play a key role in marshalling next season’s defence with Craig Halkett and Declan Gallagher set to leave the club in the summer.
The trio have been an integral part of the club’s rise from League One to Premiership safety but the elder statesman Lithgow is set to be left behind - but he says he welcomes the challenge next term.
The 31-year-old, who appears favourite to take the captain’s armband next season after standing in on occasion for Halkett this year, said: “I won’t put my hand up to be captain next season but if I’m asked to do it then it will be a privilege.
“You’ll get the same out of me week in, week out anyway. I do my job on the park and communicate as best as I can.
“I don’t look at it as there’s one captain on the park, there’s a lot of players who can do that role.
“Craig and Declan leaving is a big loss for the club. It will be a big test for myself but hopefully we can get players in to replace them."
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He added: “There probably will be a lot on my shoulders but we’ll work together. Whoever comes in, we’ll work together.
“I don’t know if Ricki (Lamie) has a shot at centre-half, it’s not my decision so I’ll leave that up to Davie (Martindale) and the gaffer."
As for the club signing off their home campaign with a disappointing 1-0 loss against Dundee, Lithgow commented: “We created chances in the first half and could have won the game.
“There was a lack of communication at the back, maybe because we’ve not played much as a back four.
“But over the course of the season, things have been really good. The boys are still grafting and working hard in training but when it comes to it after the split there is an end of season feel to it.
“We were aiming for seventh place but that’s obviously not going to happen.
“It’s a great achievement but it’s not been great at the end.”
