Staying where we are will be hard work, says Reid

Nov 2 2006

HAMILTON boss Billy Reid this week praised his side for clawing their way up the First Division — then warned that staying there will be hard work.

An excellent 3-1 win over Gretna put the New Douglas Park club second in the table, but Reid insists nobody will be resting on their laurels.

He said: “Everything looks OK, but we’ll keep our feet on the ground, because you’re only as good as your last game.

“The minute you think you’ve made it, that attitude comes back to boot you in the backside.

“We’re now at the top end of the table, it’s not easy to get there, but the hardest bit of it is staying there, and that’s what I’m stressing to my players.

“But this just shows you how far we’ve come since the opening day.

“I thought we were sensational on Saturday and that’s 10 points we’ve now taken from the last 12.

“I thought everything about Saturday’s performance was polished.”

Reid admitted he’s slightly surprised to have climbed above Gretna following Accies’ 6-0 opening day thrashing at Raydale Park, but never stopped believing in his players.

“When we lost 6-0, we were distraught at the time,” he said. “I questioned my players and myself, but we’ve bounced back.

“To be sitting up there at the top end of the table is a fantastic effort by my players.

“I never panicked — I know what I’m trying to do here, I know I’ve got good players.

“And that’s football. It changes so much, and that’s why I say you’re only as good as your last game.

“That’s what I will be stressing to the players next week at Clyde, when we have to go again.

“I want us to be at the top end of the table. I believe that if I can keep my players fit, then we can at least have a say in the championship.”

Reid knows Accies will need to be on top form for Saturday’s clash at Clyde.

He said: “We go to their place on Saturday, and they’ll be smarting over the defeat they had at New Douglas Park.

“We will be taking absolutely nothing for granted — if our players aren’t on their toes for this match, they we will have problems.

“The result means a lot to the Hamilton and Clyde supporters because of what has gone on in the past, but it’s just another game, another three points at stake, and I’m just hoping to get a strong team on the park.”