Montolivo has enjoyed mixed feelings with the national side and he was dumped out of the Euro 2008 championship by former boss Roberto Donadoni.
However, his consistent performances for La Viola have not gone entirely unnoticed as Lippi gives him the nod and the wink.
"It's a pleasure to get the call and be involved with Italy. It's also a big responsibility," Montolivo told journalists during Thursday afternoon's press conference.
"I have been taking plenty of responsibility at Fiorentina over the years and I hope I can do the same here.
"[Alberto] Gilardino and [Alessandro] Gamberini have cemented their place for Italy and I have to do the same to find more space, even though I have nothing to prove. I am hoping that other Viola players also get called up soon."
The midfielder also had a few words on matters in Serie A where Cesare Prandelli is constantly being linked with a move to Juventus.
"Prandelli to Juve? No. He will stay in Florence for many years to come," concluded the Italian.
La Nazionale are top of their group in the World Cup qualifiers. The road to South Africa is still very long but Italy are firm favourites to progress.