Hamilton Accies' Marco Paixao is gunning for Motherwell FC

Nov 5 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

MARCO PAIXAO has set his sights on gunning down derby rivals Motherwell this weekend as he aims to repay the faith shown in him by boss Billy Reid.

The Accies gaffer introduced Marco and his twin brother Flavio to the SPL and while the latter has been a bit-part player, Marco is fast taking a starring role.

Marco doubled his tally for the season with the opener against St Mirren on Saturday and then crossed for Martin Canning to add a second four minutes before half-time.

The striker says he wants to make a name for himself in the Premier League - and that could spell bad news for opposition defences.

He said: “It was good to get a goal so early in the game. Last week we lost against Celtic so to start with a goal early on was very important because it relaxed the team so that we could play much better.

“I was substituted last week early on and you always want to play 90 minutes.

“It was the first time I had played against Celtic and to be taken off was very hard for me but I spoke to my father about it.

“Myself and my brother Flavio are very strong players but we’re very strong mentally as well and I know if I have that then everything is good.

“In football you have ups and downs; sometimes you are in good shape and others not, but you have always to prove that you’re a good player and you’re here to win.

“I’m a winner and I’m here to make my name in the Scottish Premier League.”

Marco (25) added: “I thought my performance was good but I think some criticism has been a bit over the top. I came from another country, from another type of football and I have had to adapt here.

“I’ve done that now and I think I’ve done it well but things happen sometimes that you can’t control.

“The good players that have survived at the top have good days and bad days as well.

“Last week against Celtic was a bad day but Saturday was a brilliant day.

“I’ve scored two goals now and I’m very happy with that. It was a good game for me, the team won and everything is good. Everybody is happy and I think that we deserved to win.”

Marco says he has been told what the Lanarkshire derby means to the club, but said the points are important anyway.

He said: “We have to win again because we’re down the table but we have a new team and good players this year. Billy Reid is doing a great job.

“We have to win against Motherwell and maybe climb the table. We’re four points clear of Falkirk at the moment and it’s important to win every game that we can.”