SIX POINTS WILL BE TARGET FOR CRUNCH GAMES

Mar 29 2007 By Andy McGilvray

HAMILTON boss Billy Reid has targeted six points from their double-header against Ross County and Queen of the South.

But he has warned his Accies side to be on their guard against the relegation-haunted teams.

Ross County visit New Douglas Park on Saturday desperate for points to pull them clear of basement battlers Airdrie United.

And Queens host Accies at Palmerston Park on Tuesday evening, knowing a win could help them move clear of the play-off zone.

But Reid knows his side should be capable of taking full points from the games.

He said this week: “Both teams are fighting for their lives and it’s two clubs that won’t have any trouble raising their game.

“But we should be good enough to make sure we’re ready for that challenge.

“I said at the start of the season that we didn’t want to be involved in a relegation battle and thankfully we’re not, because it’s a rat-race down at the bottom of the First Division.

“To be honest, I wouldn’t want to pick who’s going down and who will be involved in the play-off — but as long as we’re out of the picture, that’s fine by me.

“Ross County beat us 4-1 up at their place, and while I wouldn’t say we’re going for revenge, it is important for us to show that we’re better than we were that night, especially in the first half when we lost goals.

“It will be a hard game, but we’re the home side and our form at New Douglas Park this season has been good.

“Four of our last six games are at home, with title contenders St Johnstone and Gretna still to play here.

“Those games will be a wee test for us, to see where we are, and hopefully we can be ready for their visits.”

Having had a weekend off, Reid’s side are raring to go against Ross County, and the gaffer admits he’s had to rein his stars in a bit.

He said: “Players like to play. We had a reserve game against Kilwinning Rangers on Tuesday night, and I had five or six first-team players asking if they could play.

“It’s good that they wanted to play, but I can’t take any chance of injuries right now.”

With long-term absentees Mark McLaughlin and Derek Fleming still crocked, Reid has further problems as striker Richard Offiong, captain Alex Neil and defender Tom Parratt are all suspended against Scott Leitch’s Highlanders, although the latter two are available against Queens.

Reid says it’s a chance for other stars to shine.

He said: “This gives other people a chance to come in and show what they’re worth, and that’s the way they’ve got to look at it.

“It gives a couple of strikers a chance to play when Richard has dominated the jersey for most of this season, and a midfielder can show what he can do in place of Alex Neil.

“Tom Parratt is a sore one for us though, because we don’t really have a full-back at the club who is ready to step in, so we may need to look at that.

“However, I spoke to Chris Swailes on Monday and his hamstring is feeling a lot better, so I hope he will start the game on Saturday.”

Reid is delighted to welcome back teenage prodigy James McCarthy, who impressed for Republic of Ireland under-17s at the UEFA Elite qualifying series in Germany.

McCarthy (16), was man of the match as Ireland beat Scotland 2-1 on Wednesday, and scored a second-half winner as Ireland ran out 1-0 winners over Greece on Friday.

McCarthy limped off with a thigh strain in that match, and was unable to play as Ireland lost the final 3-0 to Germany.

Reid said: “People know what I think about James, and he’s played two games in a week, so I need to be careful with him, but he will feature at some stage.”

With others ready to follow in McCarthy’s footsteps, Reid is prepared to experiment between now and the end of the season.

Reid said: “We’re sitting in third place and I don’t want the season to peter out.

“We would like to finish third, but it won’t be the be-all and end-all if we don’t.

“We’re going to try a few things between now and the end of the season and there will be some younger lads coming in that the fans will be excited about.

“Ally Crawford and Grant Gillespie, who are 15, are making great strides, I’m going to invite them to train with the first team, so one of them may feature before the end of the season.

“You’ve got be careful that they’re ready for it, but I don’t have a problem throwing them in, and this is a time of the season when it’s worth giving them a go.

“They are all exceptional young talents.”

Tuesday’s match at Palmerston Park kicks-off at 7.45pm.