Midfield maestro Stefan Scougall today committed his next four years to Livingston after deciding was the best place to continue his development as a player.

Stefan (19) has impressed in the Livingston midfield since bursting onto the scene during the course of last season.

But while his inventive and industrious performances have caught the eye, the youngster acknowledges that he still has some learning to do under the guidance of John Collins and John Hughes at the Braidwood Motor Company Stadium.

"Livingston are one of the few teams in Scotland that likes to get the ball down, and pass and move, and that's why I want to stay here and develop my career," he said.

"It's a good way to play and I'm enjoying the fact that we don't go back to front and in midfield I see a lot of the ball.

"I need to improve certain aspects of my game but the manager and John Collins have been looking at how I can get better and I'm working on that."

The new agreement, finalised today, means that Stefan is expected to remain a Livingston player until the summer of 2016.

Though currently starring in the Irn Bru First Division, he retains ambitions to play at a higher level, preferably with the Lions.

"I am really delighted to sign a new contract. It gives me security and Livingston security as well," he added.

"I'm ambitious and want to play at the highest level.

"I'll hopefully help get Livingston back to the SPL, but I hope at some point that a big move happens for me."

Livingston's Director of Football, John Collins, supervised the signing formalities today, and he predicted big things for the new long-term signing.

He said: "Stefan is an outstanding talent and he's only going to get better because of his attitude and the way he trains. Every day he trains to get better.

"One thing is for sure and that's that the big clubs will come sniffing around at some point.

"I've worked with a lot of good young footballers and he's as good, if not better, than anybody I've worked with.

"Getting him tied down on a new contract is good news for us, and it's good news for Stefan because he's still developing."