LIVVY SIGN TWO BUT STOKES IS STILL TOP TARGET

GARY HOLT insists Livingston could provide the perfect platform for Anthony Stokes to revive his career — providing he is willing to put in the graft. Livvy have wasted no time bolstering their ranks following Lyndon Dykes’ move to QPR, snapping up 6ft 3ins attacker Lars Lokotsch on a two-year contract and capturing Monaco defender Julien Serrano on a season-long loan. They are also interested in securing the services of Stokes — who is a free agent following a brief dalliance with Iranian side Persepolis — on a one-year deal. But despite the undeniable class of Stokes, who has scored 136 goals and won eight major honours in Scottish football, Holt has emphasised that he would be expected to buy into the same work ethic as every other player.

‘Anthony has a lot of quality and a lot of good traits that we don’t currently have at the club,’ said the Livingston manager ahead of tomorrow’s match with Aberdeen at Pittodrie. ‘You don’t play at the level he has played at, won the things he has won, without being a very good footballer. ‘It is something we will speak about to Anthony and his representatives.

‘I look at his pedigree and think I could work with him. But he’ll know he’s coming here to work. We place demands on individuals and, if he buys into that and wants to be part of it, then we have a good chance of getting something done.’ Meanwhile, Holt believes attacker Lokotsch has the same hunger that turned Dykes into a £2million marksman.

The 24-year-old does not possess the eye-catching pedigree of fellow new signing Serrano, having spent most of his career in the German fourth tier. However, Holt is adamant his work ethic, physicality and desire to try his luck in British football makes up for a modest CV. ‘Lars’ hunger is similar to Lyndon’s,’ he said. ‘Lyndon came in here with an attitude of “I want to improve, I want to move on” and embraced his chance. Look at where he is now. ‘That opportunity is here if you buy into what we do and work your socks off every single day — and when you get your chance in a game, take it.

‘He believes he can cope with the Scottish demands. He thinks he is suited to football over here and, looking at him in training, there is definitely something there. He’ll be a good fit for us. ‘He has the make-up of an old-fashioned No 9 — he’ll dump you on your backside! He ticks a lot of the boxes we were looking for.’