Double injury blow for Accies

Oct 19 2006 By Andy McGilvray

HAMILTON winger Mark Gilhaney is likely to be ruled out for a month with a hamstring injury picked up during Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Clyde.

Defender Mark McLaughlin has suffered a recurrence of the groin injury that kept him out of action for seven weeks, and he’s likely to face a similar lay-off.

Boss Billy Reid admitted he had to lift his players’ spirits at half-time on Tuesday, despite the fact they were 3-1 up at the time, and he’ll be left with a patchwork side against Dundee at Dens Park on Saturday.

He said: “We’ve worked so hard to get where we are after the 6-0 drubbing at Gretna in the first game of the season, so we’re elated to get three points and be up at the top end of the table.

“But that’s two important players out with injury, and that dampened the spirit in our dressing room at half-time.

“We were 3-1 up, but the players knew that Mark McLaughlin had broken down, and Mark Gilhaney was injured and I had to try and lift them again.

“I think that showed in our second-half performance.

“I’ve said all along that if I can get a bit of continuity on the park, then I think we can match anybody in terms of 11 v 11. So far, I’ve never really had that, and that’s not making excuses or sour grapes — we’re saying it now when we’re joint-top of the league.

“Alex Neil has played four games out of 12, Mark McLaughlin has played five, and Marvyn Wilson has played six. I’m missing half a season already from these guys — how much better off would we be with these guys playing?

“I feel frustrated for the players and the club because I know we can do a bit better and I think this group is now growing as a team.

“We attack with pace and there’s a sprinkling of young players who are now gaining experience at the top end of the First Division, and that’s healthy for us.”

Reid was delighted with Tuesday’s win but knows Accies will need to be at their best to emerge with three points from Dens Park on Saturday.

He said: “The job was to get the three points against Clyde, and we did that.

“I thought we were comfortable in the first half and we always looked as though we were a threat going forward.

“The one thing that we probably haven’t been doing is scoring enough goals, so to score three on Tuesday and look dangerous on a number of occasions is very good for us.

“We go into the Dundee game hugely confident, but I don’t know what team I’m going to assemble at Dens Park.

“What we’re trying to do is put pressure on the teams at the top end of the table. It’s a game we can win, but we know it’s not going to be easy.

“I know the Dundee management team of Alex Rae and Davie Farrell really well. They’re proud guys and there’s no way their team is going to lie down.

“We know if we’re not at our best we’re going to have problems and it’s up to me to raise our spirits again for what will be our third game in eight days.”

Hamilton went into Tuesday’s game on the back of an excellent 1-0 win at Livingston last Friday.

Reid said: “Our first-half performance was as good as I’ve seen since I’ve been at the club. I think we looked solid as a unit, defended well, and Richard Offiong was absolutely outstanding up front.

“I was delighted with the overall performance. We went there and took the initiative straight away.

“However, I was disappointed after 44 minutes that we hadn't scored a goal, due to good goalkeeping, bad finishing and a wee bit of bad luck.

“Fortunately, we got the goal and Mark Gilhaney had a good finish, which I think was justified after the first half.

“The team worked as a unit. It was crucial that we were well-drilled, and I think if we can do that every week we’ll be fine.”