NEW CONTRACT SIGNED BY REID

Oct 26 2006 By Andy McGilvray

EXCLUSIVE

HAMILTON Accies boss Billy Reid this week signed a new three-year rolling contract.

Reid put pen to paper yesterday and is delighted at being given a show of faith by chairman Ronnie MacDonald.

But he also felt it was important for him to commit his future to the club after several players had already done so.

He said: “I never felt under pressure with my previous deal, which was a year’s rolling contract, but this provides more stability and continuity.

“I felt it was only right that I showed the same commitment that my players have.

“I love it at the club and enjoy seeing our young players coming through.

“The chairman, Ronnie MacDonald, gave me my chance in senior football, I enjoy working with him, I’ve got a good working relationship with him and hopefully we can take the club even further.

“I feel that I’ve achieved well since coming into the club, that’s obviously why Ronnie’s giving me a new deal.

“But as I said when I arrived, it’s a long-term job at the club and it was never going to happen within a year or so.

“I feel as though the club is going in the right direction and it’s now up to myself and other people to take the club forward.”

The move comes just days after top-team stars Tom Parratt, Alex Neil and Mark Gilhaney signed extensions.

On Monday, midfield ace Neil (25), signed until May 2008, while winger Gilhaney (21), remains at Accies until May 2009.

Right-back Tom Parratt (20), last week extended his deal until 2009.

Reid said: “It’s good news for the club as these guys have a big part to play in future years.

“This shows our fans how ambitious the club is and Ronnie MacDonald has been a part of all the negotiations, which I thank him for.

“Hopefully there are one or two others to come as well shortly.”

Spanish striker Javier Payo scored the clincher in Alloa’s 2-1 win at Peterhead on Saturday, after being farmed out on loan to the Second Division club.

Meanwhile, Billy has told his players to forget any thoughts of revenge against Saturday’s visitors Gretna, even after being thumped 6-0 at Raydale Park on the league’s opening day.

He said: “It’s a big, big game for us, and people are saying it’s a ‘revenge’ match, but I wouldn’t.

“I’m quite sure the players are hoping to make amends for the opening day defeat, but it’s just another three points up for grabs.

“Gretna are no different from any other team — we want to beat them just the same as anybody else coming to visit New Douglas Park.

“Gretna are a good side and we know how hard a game it is, but it isn’t any harder than going to Dens Park was on Saturday.

“Our home form last season was good and we have to make sure it stays that way if we want to maintain a challenge at the top of the league.

“Once you’re up there, you aspire to win every game, and that’s certainly what we’ll try and do.

“We’ll assess the injury situation, put out our strongest team, and the one thing I guarantee is that they’ll get everything off of my players.”

Reid was pleased with the battling 1-1 draw against Dundee at Dens Park on Saturday, and praised his stars.

He said: “I’m delighted with a point and I can’t praise my players enough as we’ve played three games in eight days, and I think fans could see at the end of the game that we were running on empty.

“I was pleased with the performance of our defenders — Davie Elebert and Brian Easton, who were rocks.

“They’re two young men but they were outstanding against Dundee and that certainly bodes well for the future.

“We worked really hard as a unit, and when you do that and defend as hard as we did in the second half, then you deserve it.

“I ask them to give me everything, I got that on Saturday, and I’m a happy man.”

Loan midfielder John Neill has resumed training at Accies following a family problem.

Hamstring victim Scott Tunbridge is expected to resume full training on Monday, and Reid hopes the Australian will be available for next Saturday’s visit to Clyde.

Hamilton’s Boxing Day clash at Gretna has been moved forward to Saturday, December 23, with a 3pm kick-off.