Accies defender set to return

Oct 9 2008 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON have been handed a major boost with news that defender Mark McLaughlin may make his return from injury in the crunch SPL game against St Mirren on October 18.

The big stopper has been given the all-clear after recovering from a medial ligament injury and boss Billy Reid will closely monitor his progress over the next 10 days before making a decision ahead of the New Douglas Park clash.

McLaughlin (32), is a key figure in Reid’s line-up, but the gaffer is wary of bringing him back in too early and risking further injury.

Reid said: “Mark has had the all-clear, he did the warm-up on Saturday, and it’s important that we don’t rush him back too early.

“We want him back in there, I think we’ve missed his presence, and size is important in the Premier League.

“Mark started the season brilliantly for us and unfortunately he got a bad injury. He’s a huge player for us, he’s desperate to get back and his attitude and commitment in that regard have been brilliant, but we need to be careful that we don’t bring him back too quickly.

“We’re hoping – hoping – he’s going to be ready for the game against St Mirren, but that will be determined by how he reacts to this week’s training, and maybe trying to get him a bounce game for 45 minutes.”

Reid was disappointed in Saturday’s 4-0 trouncing by Scottish champions Celtic, and reckons it shows that a few of his players aren’t yet up to speed with the SPL.

He said: “I think three or four can play better and they agree, so it’s disappointing, but you’ve got to remember that’s their first time on a stage like that, playing against one of the strongest teams in the league.

“There’s an obvious gap between Celtic and Rangers, and the rest of the teams, and that will certainly open up.

“They’ve got people that can hurt you, flair players, and it was a big ask for some of our players, but we didn’t wilt.

“At 2-0 we had a few chances and hung in there, but then they got the third goal, we missed a penalty, that gave them a wee lift and they scored again late on.

“I’m not going to have a go at James McArthur for the penalty – it was a good double-save by Artur Boruc.

“Losing the fourth goal made it a wee bit more sore for us but we’ll learn from that, in terms of where we are, and how we have to play against teams like that.

“You can’t let their players get on the ball because of the strength they have; Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink went off after three minutes and Georgios Samaras came on, which tells you everything.”

Reid added: “I think it’s the first time we’ve had a going-over this season and it was a big learning curve for me and the players.

“There aren’t really any positives for us, but I thought four or five of my players worked really hard. Tomas Cerny did fine and couldn’t be blamed for much that went on, Martin Canning tried to hold us together, as did our captain Alex Neil, young James McCarthy stuck to his task manfully and kept going right until the end, and Davie Graham fought his corner as well.

“Other than that, most of them can be better, but you’ve got to remember the level that we were playing at.

“Celtic and Rangers are the benchmark, and people shouldn’t think we’re going to go there and turn them over.

“But three or four of them have got to do a bit better to play in the Premier League, and that’s me being honest.”

Changes were made to the side on Saturday, with striker Richard Offiong dropping out of the squad altogether.

Reid said the Englishman simply has to prove himself, as does every other player, but admitted he’s still experimenting.

He said: “I’m sure the fans are wondering where Chris Casement and Trent McLenaghan are, but there are a lot of new players at the club, it takes time for that to bed in, and you can’t just throw them into games like Celtic and expect things to happen.

“We’re trying different things and there are a few wee things happening, but I’m trying to find my best XI if I’m being honest.

“Up front I’m not sure who my best three are yet so they’re all getting a chance – but nobody has really jumped out saying ‘I’m the man’.

“Richard has had a wee problem with his thigh and could have been available for Saturday, but he’s like everybody else – he’s got to earn the right to play in the team.”

Hamilton’s home match against Motherwell on Saturday, December 20, has been brought forward to a 12.30pm kick-off to accommodate live coverage on Setanta.