Livingston are set to trigger contract extension clauses on four key players that will see them remain at the club for next season.
Central defenders Morgan Boyes and Ayo Obileye, as well as full-back Cristian Montano and attacker Joel Nouble will all have their 2023/24 options picked up by the club.
But boss David Martindale admitted skipper Nicky Devlin may look elsewhere with the Lions gaffer currently unsure what his budget will be for next season and warns the club may have hit a ‘glass ceiling’.
The quartet have all played crucial roles in the club’s push for a top-six finish which continues this weekend when they host Hibs.
Martindale said: “There’s not one player at this club who has an option that I won’t be taking. I will deal with that when I have spare time but they’ll all get picked up.
“The contract options are built into the contracts from day one. It gives me a wee bit more scope to know that’s a fixed cost to keep players.”
He added: “There’s nobody not chapping my door asking for more money. Contract negotiations can then become a little bit sticky especially at this stage of the season because we could be ninth, we could be eight, we could be fourth.
“I’m trying to negotiate contracts with players but it’s difficult because there’s not a lot there to offer in terms of upscaling.”
Devlin is amongst a number of experienced players coming to the end of their contracts - a list that includes Jack Fitzwater, Jason Holt, Stephane Omeonga and Andrew Shinnie.
Martindale commented: “They have all done very good jobs for me so why wouldn’t I want them at the club?
“But I’m at the stage where I’ve hit a bit of a glass ceiling. These players have been here a wee while, they’re the higher earners and I’ve not got scope to bump 15 or 20 percent onto their wages.
“People have to remember what the unique selling point was when I brought anyone into the club - ultimately you’re coming here to move on.
“I tell them not to pick finances because it’s not all about that. It’s about exposure and development and we’re the manager and club that can do that.
“It’s just unfortunate at the end of that term that the unique selling point isn’t there anymore because what you spoke about three years ago is transpiring for that player.”
He added: “Nicky’s at an age where if he shakes my hand and says he’s going to try to get a few pound extra elsewhere then I’m never going to stop someone from trying to progress their family life.
“I’m not saying that’s happening with Nicky but he’s just had a wee one and got married, he’s maybe got one or two contracts left.
“He’s one of those players I’ll have to have a conversation with but we’re both big and ugly enough to shake each other’s hands and thank each other for the time we’ve had at the club. But if he wants to be here then he’s more than welcome.”
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