Lithgow one of 12 players leaving Livi
Sadness as defender’s five-year stint ends
Former Livingston captain Alan Lithgow heads a list of 12 players released by the club.
The 33-year-old defender’s five-year spell with the Lions will come to an end as manager David Martindale prepares for next season.
Current vice-captain Jon Guthrie has been placed on the transfer list due to family reasons with the Englishman believed to be seeking a move closer to home.
Joining Lithgow in leaving the Tony Macaroni Arena are Efe Ambrose, Raffaele De Vita, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Steve Lawson, Scott Robinson, Ross Stewart, Aaron Taylor-Sinclair and Scott Tiffoney.
Loanees Djibril Diani, Robby McCrorie and Julien Serrano will return to their parent clubs.
Lithgow made 146 appearances for the Lions since signing from Airdrie in 2016 and was an integral part of the club’s consecutive promotions from League
One to the Premiership. A hip injury saw the centre-back ruled out for 14 months before making his return to action last month.
Italian winger De Vita was also a key member of the double-promotion side that saw his contributions curtailed due to injury.
Now 33, De Vita returned to the club in October 2016, having started his professional career with the Lions eight years earlier.
He notched 10 goals in 70 appearances in his second spell but suffered a torn knee ligament in the Premiership play-offs that ruled him out for the best part of a year.
The fans’ favourite was able to make only three substitute appearances the following year – but did become just the second player to represent Livingston in all four divisions.
He has spent the last two seasons on loan at Partick Thistle, Falkirk and Edinburgh City. Over his two spells in West Lothian, he tallied 146 appearances and scored 34 goals.
Striker Tiffoney was offered a new deal but is expected to sign for Championship side Partick Thistle.
The former Morton man notched eight goals in 12 appearances for the Jags as he helped them lift the League One title.
Martindale said: “There’s obviously some real sadness that Al is leaving the club because he’s been a big part of the success of recent years.
“But at the same time, I can’t let emotion play a part in the job and I need to do what’s best for the football club.
“The reality is we’ll have to run with a smaller squad next season but hopefully the money saved will be able to go towards attracting a better calibre of player.”
The reality is we will have to run with a smaller squad next season