NEW Morton manager David Hopkin says his first task next week will be to try and tie down playmaker Michael Tidser to a new deal.

The ex-Ton player and coach was appointed by the club on Wednesday on a three-year deal, and will be meeting all of last year’s squad to discuss their futures tomorrow.

There are currently only three players signed up for next term, midfielders Dylan Dykes and Reece Lyon, as well as goalkeeper Brendan Pearson.

The ex-Livi and Bradford City manager will speak to all of last season’s players, or their representatives, to see what their plans are for the future.

Hopkin says one of his priorities will be talking to Tidser, who is now a free agent after his pre-contract with Falkirk fell through when their relegation to League One was confirmed.

Hopkin told the Tele: “Hopefully we can move quickly and get started and on Monday I can speak to the squad from last year, sit down and have a chat with them and see what their thoughts are and what my thoughts are going forward for the club.

“We need to speak to the player or their representatives, have a chat, see where everybody is and the budget is going to be reduced from last season so we’re going to have to be a wee bit more creative with players. 

“I’m looking forward to meeting them all, myself and Dave MacKinnon [Morton’s chief executive] will be working extremely hard over the next two to three weeks to get players sorted one way or another, whether they want to sign and stay or move on.

“Hopefully we can get some players from other clubs, and we’ll be waiting for when the season finishes in Scotland.

“Michael will be one of the first ones we speak to on Monday and we’ll see what we can do.

“Everybody will be the same, we will hopefully be able to do something and these things will all begin to unravel next week.”