IT’S ALL EYES ON ACCIES IN TITLE DECIDER

Apr 26 2007 By Andy McGilvray

HAMILTON Accies will play a major role in deciding the First Division championship on Saturday, as title-chasing St Johnstone visit New Douglas Park.

The final day clash could be heading for a sell-out, with Saints quickly selling their 2900 ticket allocation and being granted more by Accies.

Hamilton fans can pay or use season tickets at the turnstiles, and the club hopes as many as possible turn out to cheer their heroes.

Should Hamilton win against Saints, they’ll be guaranteed third spot, while Gretna are crowned champions.

Saints need to beat Accies, and hope that rivals Gretna lose or draw against Ross County.

With both sides having so much to play for, it’s shaping up to be a cracker.

Boss Billy Reid has set his sights on taking three points from Owen Coyle’s side and insists Accies are only looking after themselves.

He said: “We have to beat St Johnstone to guarantee third place, and I’m looking forward to that.

“This game will be great for the fans and the club, and it’s good when you’re not playing any so-called ‘meaningless’ games. This group of players play every game to the final whistle and they’re playing for win bonuses and contracts.

“And they even want to win in training!

“It would be nice if the people of Hamilton could turn up in numbers like they did for the Gretna game a couple of weeks ago, because St Johnstone will bring a big crowd down with them.”

Reid was bitterly disappointed at Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Dundee when a draw would have guaranteed Accies a third-placed finish.

He said: “I thought it was harsh on us because we controlled the game, although we didn’t have a cutting edge in the final third.

“We didn’t do enough up front, but we’ll work on that.

“I’m bitterly disappointed to lose in the manner we did. I thought it was a stonewall foul on Alex Neil. I’ve looked at video evidence that proves it and how the linesman hasn’t seen it from 10 yards away is beyond me.

“But I thought the attitude we showed when we went behind was first-class.

“My players gave us everything, and I thought there were some great performances. To be honest, over the 90 minutes I thought we deserved a win.”

Reid has been delighted with Hamilton’s progress this season, and believes the club hasn’t been given enough credit.

He said: “I would like to think our fans believe we’ve made progress because we are using a lot of young players and I can see a big difference in them.

“With young players you get inconsistency, but we’re not even getting as much of that at the moment.

“Outside of the club we don’t get much credit for what we do at Hamilton, and I don’t know why that’s the case — but we’ll just keep working away.

“The club is in good hands with our chairman Ronnie MacDonald and vice-chairman Les Gray, the background here is strong with our youth set-up and there are more young players coming through.

“We’ll continue to do the right things, and hopefully progress at this club.”

Reid hopes striker David Winters will this week sign a new one-year deal. And defender Chris Swailes has been offered an extension after impressing since his debut at Clyde on March 10.

Reid said: “We’re going to sign Chris Swailes up on a pay-as-you-play contract. I think he’s been brilliant for us at the back and adds a wealth of experience.

“If Chris can get a pre-season under his belt, and we can get him, Mark McLaughlin and Davie Elebert playing together then we’re in healthy hands in defence.”

Reid dismissed speculation about his own future, after being linked with the vacant Livingston job, and said: “There’s going to be speculation linking every manager to every job.

“I’ve signed a three-year deal at Hamilton Accies, I love the club and I’m here to stay.”

Hamilton go into Saturday’s game minus defender David Elebert, who this week underwent a double hernia operation.

n St Johnstone fans will occupy the Spice of Life stand and two-and-a-half sections at the far right of the main stand on Saturday. Accies fans can ONLY enter the ground via turnstiles 4/5/6.

As a big crowd is expected, allow extra time to head to and enter New Douglas Park.

The club also asks that supporters use the allocated car parks in Caird Street and refrain from indiscriminate parking.

Hamilton’s prize draw will be made on Saturday, with a host of top prizes on offer, such as a brand-new Hyundai Amica car, provided by Taggart’s Motor Group.