ALAN Lithgow says old club Livingston's success can be an inspiration to Morton ahead of the sides' friendly encounter.

The Ton travel to the Tony Macaroni Arena to face David Martindale’s men in what will be their final pre-season warm-up match before their Premier Sports Cup opener against Falkirk on July 9.

The centre back spent five years in West Lothian, helping the club win back-to-back promotions to reach the top flight in 2018.

The 34-year-old sees similarities between the two sides and he insists Morton should follow a similar model that has made the Almondvale club an established Premiership outfit.

He told the Tele: "What Livingston showed is that work-rate can get you success.

"I had some good games against Morton when I was Livingston and they are pretty similar.

"Both teams work really hard, so I don’t see why not.

"Other teams as well should be looking at Livingston and seeing what they have achieved.

"They obviously had quality as well, but they worked so hard.

"I am pretty sure if you asked any team who they hated playing against it would have been Livingston, because they knew how hard the games were going to be.

"You had to match the work-rate first. I think any team can take something from that."

The defender believes the high standards set at Livi were key to the club's promotion success and feels the same ethos can help Morton push on under Dougie Imrie.

Lithgow said: "Davie [Martindale] has high demands. If you don’t match it, then you won’t play.

"Everybody came together, and there was a standard we had to meet, and if you didn’t you weren’t going to play.

"That is what we should look to install as well, we should set high demands and standards.

"You are only going to play if you meet them, that is what Livingston have obviously done and they have carried that on throughout their last five or six years.

"I was there for five years and that was the same the whole way through, I had to work really hard to get my place in the team.

"I am pretty sure they are still doing that now."

Lithgow, who misses the encounter against his old side due to a knee injury, has told his team-mates to expect a no-holds-barred performance from Livingston.

The 32-year-old believes Morton players will relish the opportunity to test themselves against Premiership opposition.

He added: "It will be a massive step-up. Livingston won’t be treating it as a friendly.

"They will be taking it seriously, and they will be looking to win the game. We will be looking to put on a performance ourselves and show what we can do.

"Playing against a side working their socks off and giving 110 per cent every minute will help us for the start of the season.

"It will be a good test for us and the boys will be fit after that.

"It is a chance for everybody to go and showcase what they can do, not just for the boys that were at Livingston.

"Obviously they will be looking to impress as well, but it is a chance for everyone to go do that."