Bartley plays crucial role in Efe opting for move to West Lothian

the guys there, played with some great players and worked with Frank Lampard and the coaching staff. They really helped me and developed me. I didn’t have the chance to play but I did not regret it. It was an experience.

“There was interest in me but nothing concrete. The only thing I had was St Mirren but Livingston came first and I chose them.

“I have been training back home, so it is just a case of fitting in with the club and getting along with the team.”

Gary Holt’s men have shocked many this season as they sit in fifth place despite being tipped for relegation and could yet clinch a European place.

And the centre-back feels he’s joining a club on the rise, saying:“It is exciting. It really inspired me because I saw the level they are at and where they’re pushing to be.

“You never know at the end of the season if we’ll be in Europe or the top six, but the most important thing is to have a target, and that motivates me.”

Bartley was a teammate of Ambrose for two-and-a-half years at Easter Road and has captained the side in the continued absence of Alan Lithgow — and he believes the Lions have signed a top defender.

He said:“Everyone in Scotland knows from when Efe was at Hibs and Celtic that he was one of the best in the league. He was massive for Hibs and when he did go to Derby he left a huge hole in defence. Every defensive partner he’s played with speaks so highly of him.

“I’ve always stayed in contact with him and when the chance came to help bring him here, I spoke to the gaffer and Davie. They know him as well but they trusted me and said they’d definitely bring him in and he’d be massive for us.”

He added:“There will be a few people shocked. But we have shocked people throughout the whole season. No-one had us sitting where we are in the league but, to go forward, we need to keep bringing better players in.”