MORTON striker Robert Thomson believes David Hopkin would a ‘brilliant’ appointment as the Ton’s new manager — if the club can land him.

The Cappielow side are still looking for a replacement for Jim Duffy, who left the club almost a month ago after the season finished.

Morton have carried out a thorough search for the new boss, and have interviewed candidates over the last two 
weeks.

Livingston manager Hopkin, who is one of the bookies’ favourites to take over at the Greenock side, is reportedly set to decide on his future early this week after discussions with the Livingston board.

John Ward, a director with the West Lothian side, spoke to the media saying Livingston would ‘be in a position to do that [to comment on Hopkin’s future] on either Monday or Tuesday’.

After defying the odds to seal back-to-back promotions and unexpectedly leading the Lions to the Premiership the former Morton midfielder has also drawn interest from English League Two side Carlisle United.

And while Thomson admitted he did not know who was to be the next Ton boss, the striker says the 47-year-old would be an ideal fit for the Inverclyde side.

He told the Tele: “I honestly don’t know who they [the board] will pick, but I think Hopkin would be brilliant.

“He’s been excellent with Livingston and everyone would be delighted if he chose to come to Morton who are still in the Championship.

“Everyone can see from the outside in what a great job he’s done on the resources he’s had.

Inverness, Dunfermline and Dundee United will all have had much bigger budgets. At the start of the season I imagine their only goal would have been to stay in the league after being promoted.

“But I’m sure inside that dressing room they wouldn’t have had that goal, they’ve obviously been planning on getting promoted and they’ve done excellently.”

Former Ton player Hopkin, who had a brief spell as interim manager at Cappielow back in 2013, made his Livingston side tough to beat this season.

They were the only team Morton were unable to secure a win against during the league campaign last season, and Thomson said they had all the attributes of a successful side.

He added: “They were very difficult, if you look at our results we didn’t beat them, and that was with a cup game included.

“They showed that in both legs in the play-offs against Partick Thistle as well.

“Livi were a solid unit and scored goals, they did exceptionally well to win the play-offs and even to finish where they were finished - never mind what they managed to do after that.

“They were a very organised team, and they had quality within the team, but I think first and foremost they made themselves difficult to play against and that’s what let their quality shine through.”

Former Dundee United and Raith Rovers boss Ray McKinnon and ex-Ross County manager Jim McIntyre are the other bookies’ favourites to be Morton’s next manager.