MORTON’S Chris Millar has urged his team-mates from last season to join him by extending their stays at the club.

The midfielder penned a one-year contract extension yesterday at Cappielow.

The 36-year-old is the fifth player to be signed up for next season, as new manager David Hopkin begins building his squad.

Jim McAlister, Gregor Buchanan, Bob McHugh, Reghan Tumilty and Michael Tidser all have contract offers from the club and are mulling them over.

The first three are understood to be keen to stay on, while the Tele understands Tidser is weighing up several offers from different clubs.

Former St Johnstone player Millar wants to keep the core of last season’s squad together, as he targets a play-off spot with the Ton.

He told the Tele: “First and foremost I’m absolutely delighted to extend my contract with the club for another year.

“I wanted to get it done as soon as possible, the manager had to sort his budget so it was just a case of getting that sorted and we came to an agreement and I’m delighted to get it done.

“It’s down to the manager now to build a squad that’s competitive for next year and hopefully the players that have decisions to make will follow suit like myself and take up the option.

“Jim McAlister is like myself and knows what the club is all about. You need players like that with a bit of experience as well. Jim had a great season last year and I’d love him to stay.

“Jim obviously has his own decisions to make on that. I spoke to him over the past week and I know he wants to be here as well, but it’s just a case of hopefully that the club and him to come to an agreement and get it done as soon as possible.

“Bob McHugh as well, he’s a player we really missed when he got injured towards the end of the season.

“He was on double figures last season for goals and I think he would have scored more as well.

“The gaffer has come in and he wants him to stay as well. Gregor Buchanan I thought finished the season really well.

“You want to keep a core of players as well, with Michael Tidser as well everyone would love him to stay. He’s got a few options but I’ll be trying my best to get him to stay and get it done.”

Millar says despite the manager’s budget being smaller, he hopes they can target a play-off place in next season’s Championship.

He added: “When I spoke to the manager this time he wants it to be a competitive squad, it’s going to be a smaller budget than last year.

“One thing which excites me is that he wants to set standards right from the word go. That was one of the first words he used about setting standards all over the place on and off the pitch.

“Hopefully we can push on and have a good year and challenge for those play-off spots again, as that’s what everyone wants — to bring success to the club.”