DAVID Hopkin believes continuity is key to Morton’s upcoming campaign.

Seven members of last season’s squad remained at Morton, with Jim McAlister, Chris Millar, Reghan Tumilty, Bob McHugh and Lewis Strapp signing contract extensions to stay at Cappielow.

While Hopkin says he would have liked to have kept more of last season’s squad, the ex-Bradford City boss admits that it was vital to keep the ‘nucleus’ of last year’s team, and is keen not to make such drastic changes at the club in future seasons.

Hopkin has pointed towards the success Ayr United had last term after finishing in the play-offs following their promotion from League One.

The Ton boss told the Tele: “It was important we kept the nucleus of last year’s squad and we just keep adding to it.

“Continuity is really important. Every team that has come up to the Championship has done well from League One. “We did it at Livingston, Ayr have done it as well and I’m sure Arbroath will do it as well even though they’re part-time. They’ve got a lot of experience and a great manager.

“All the teams now are going to have that structure of continuity, whereas we’re starting from scratch with a mostly new squad.

“We have seven from last season, and it’s important we kept it together and it’s important we keep adding to it.

“That’s how you start to get the club back up, and hopefully the fans will start to see that.”