Accies will be challenging for the title next season!

Apr 19 2007

MARVYN Wilson reckons Hamilton will challenge for the title next season... and is disappointed that he won’t be there to help them.

Midfield ace Wilson is set to leave New Douglas Park this summer when his contract expires, having spent two seasons with Billy Reid’s side.

The 33-year-old says he’s loved his time at Accies but is now putting himself in the ‘shop window’.

Wilson said: “I won’t be here next season. I still think I have a lot to offer, but I’m not going to kid anybody on.

“Every game I play now is a bonus, so we’ll just see what happens.

“I’m disappointed that I’m leaving, but it’s just one of these things.

“I’ve enjoyed it here. I was captain here and it has been fantastic.

“I look forward to the rest of the games leading up to the end of this season, and I will hopefully play my part in helping Hamilton get as far up the league as possible.”

Wilson added: “Hamilton are going to be one of the favourites for the title next season, especially with the amount of exposure the young lads have had this season. It all bodes well. We have some great young talent at Hamilton and I’m left pinching myself sometimes when I look at what’s around me on the pitch.

“It’s the first time I’ve been in a dressing room with 17, 18 and 19-year-olds making up the bulk of the squad.

“It’s great for Hamilton and that’s their ethos — to bleed the young guys and try to build the club that way.

“They’re heading in the right direction and it justifies the labour put in for the last two or three seasons, when they’ve put their youth project in place, because it’s now bearing fruit.

“I’m not naive enough to think that hasn’t had a bearing on me leaving the club but I was a young lad when I was coming through and I was pushing the older guys all the way.

“That’s the way it’s got to be. It’s just the nature of football.”

Wilson netted his first Accies goal in the 1-0 win over Ross County at New Douglas Park on March 31 — and revealed that he has a friendly bet on with captain Alex Neil.

Whoever scores fewer goals between the two will take the winner for a meal at a top restaurant.

Wilson said: “My goal against Ross County is a collector’s item. It was good to get on the scoresheet and especially because we got the win.

“I think my tally was five for Airdrie United in the season before I came here and for a defensive midfielder that’s not bad.

“But thanks for reminding me that was my first goal in two seasons!

“Before the game the manager, Billy Reid, stressed to James McArthur to sit a wee bit deeper and try to get myself and James McCarthy pushed on a bit more.

“We were definitely on the ascendency at that point in the game and it was only a matter of time before we scored.

“I’m just glad it was myself that got it, especially with the situation I’m in.

“I took a bit of stick for the goal — myself and Alex have a bet going that whoever ends up the top scorer between the two of us gets taken for lunch or dinner. I’m leading with one, and there’s no way he’s going to score, so I’ll look forward to that!

“Alex will be desperate to score, and he’ll probably have a word with the gaffer now and be on penalties, free-kicks, corners and everything.

“He’ll be shooting from the half-way line so that he can win but I’ll claim deflections and everything!”