Future is bright as Billy’s Accies side takes shape

Nov 2 2006 By Andy McGilvray

HAMILTON are close to tying up Richard Offiong and David Elebert on new two-year deals.

Twenty-two-year-old Offiong (right), is top scorer at the club this season with six strikes to his name, and has quickly become a fans’ favourite.

Dublin-born 20-year-old Elebert (left), has steadily improved since coming into the side last January and has been virtually an ever-present since.

A delighted Billy Reid said: “We’re now securing our top players on new contracts and this shows what we’re trying to achieve here.

“Richard has been playing really well, but like any striker he feeds off confidence and goals.

“I’ve been happy at his progress since he joined the club, and I knew there was a good player there — it was up to me as the manager, and him as the player, to bring that out.

“He’s doing really well just now, but I think there is more to come.”

Reid added: “David Elebert is still only 20-years-old, and people forget that. He was really thrown in at the deep end, particularly when Stevie Thomson left.

“But I think David has walked straight into his shoes.

“That’s a high compliment to pay David, but he’s very much like Stevie in that he’s a reliable servant to the club.”

However, Hamilton have been dealt a blow with the news that talented left-back Derek Fleming tore a hamstring during Saturday’s win over Gretna.

Club officials say he is now likely to be sidelined for up to six weeks.

Hamilton hope to register 25-year-old French-Algerian defender Omar Rezgane in time for Saturday’s visit to Clyde.