Reds eye James

Jan 4 2007 EXCLUSIVE by Andy McGilvray

HAMILTON are believed to have knocked back a bumper offer from Liverpool for teenage midfielder James McCarthy.

The Advertiser understands that the Anfield club verbally offered a £160,000 signing fee, with add-ons that could add up to around £600,000.

But it’s believed that Accies turned down the lucrative offer for McCarthy (16), amid reports that the youngster wants to stay at New Douglas Park.

Hamilton Accies manager Billy Reid confirmed that the player “did exceptionally well” in a trial at Liverpool, but said no formal offer has been made, and there are other interested clubs.

Meanwhile, Reid has promised supporters that the club will be working hard this month to bring in new faces.

But if he can’t attract players of real quality, Reid has no qualms about sticking with kids.

Following Tuesday’s 1-0 derby defeat at Airdrie, Reid said: “Hamilton Accies supporters can be assured that myself and chairman Ronnie MacDonald are working hard to bring quality players to the club.

“There’s no use in bringing someone to the club that isn’t going to enhance us. I would rather make sure we still play the kids and they get the benefit of what we are trying to achieve here.

“When we add to our squad, these players will gain invaluable experience and I think what we are doing is refreshing.

“What using young kids means is that we will take a few dunts along the way, but that is the way forward for our club.”

Reid hopes Hamilton can get back to winning ways during Saturday’s Tennent’s Scottish Cup third-round clash with First-Division rivals Livingston at New Douglas Park.

He said: “We would love to win the Scottish Cup game in terms of finance, but that’s the same as any other game.

“It won’t be easy; Livingston are on a bit of a downer with their results, and got beaten again on Tuesday, but we’ve not won in eight games.

“That’s a travesty, because there are certain games where we should have picked up points — but at the end of the day if you don’t take chances you won’t win games.”

Reid was disappointed after Tuesday’s defeat at Airdrie, a result that saw Accies slip down to sixth place, but he has been encouraged by recent performances.

He said: “If I had seen a group of players there who were throwing in the towel then I would have problems, but I don’t see that at all.

“I thought we totally battered Airdrie, but just didn’t get the goal.

“I’m disappointed to lose the game, and it’s the first Airdrie derby we’ve lost since I came back to Hamilton.

“But I thought my players were brilliant and gave me everything.

“Everyone can see the problems we’ve got in terms of injuries to experienced players, but I think the future bodes well when you see the young kids that play in our team.

“They never know when they’re beaten and in all honesty we should have taken something from the game.

“I felt that if we had got a goal back we would have gone on to win the game.

“But we’re not too despondent as we know what’s missing, because it’s sitting behind me in the stand every week.”

Reid was also disappointed in Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Clyde.

He added: “We should have had the game dead and buried in the first half.

“I thought we played well, passed the ball well, dominated proceedings, created chances, and just couldn’t take them.

“We scored a really good free-kick but then we had our usual three injuries and they scored a poor goal from our point of view.”

Hamilton’s injury list seems to be growing every week, with defenders Tom Parratt and David Elebert looking to be missing for at least a couple of weeks.

Goalkeeper Davie McEwan has joined that list, with a knee injury sustained on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Hamilton fans are reminded that season tickets are NOT valid for the Cup match.

Any replay will take place on Tuesday, January 16.