GARY HOLT is convinced Efe Ambrose can bring ‘quality’ to Livingston - no matter where he decides to play him.

The former Celtic and Hibernian defender was handed a quick-fire debut for the Lions at the weekend after signing on an 18-month deal last week.

The 31-year-old slotted into a three-man defence for the 1-1 draw with Hibs, a formation that was the bedrock of Livingston’s success last season but has been employed rarely by Holt this term.

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Having also been utilised at right-back and in central midfield before his near-14 month spell without a game after leaving Hibs, Holt knows Ambrose offers him increased flexibility.

And the Almondvale boss looks set tap into that versatility as he seeks to get the best out of the Nigerian and his squad.

Holt said: “I just signed him to play. I talk about formations when we’ve not got the ball, that’s when it counts and matters.

“But when we’ve got the ball, go and play and express yourselves.

“So, whether we play him at right-back or whether we play someone else at centre-forward, it really doesn’t matter. It’s about doing a job for the team.

“He’s signed because he’s a quality player, who can cover a couple of positions.

“But I’ve not pigeon-holed him into playing centre-half or left-back or defensive midfield.

“It’s just a quality addition to the group.”

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Ambrose exercised a clause in his contract to leave Hibs in January last year before joining Derby County, where he failed to play a single game.

But Holt is satisfied the experienced stopper will be able to slot straight in to the Livingston set-up after easing through 90 minutes at Easter Road on Saturday.

He added: “He’s not been sitting in the house doing nothing. He’s been training twice a day with his old club in Nigeria.

“So he’s keen, he’s hungry, he’s got that desire to go and play.”