ACCIES boss Billy Reid is set to start rebuilding his team as he casts an eye towards next season.

May 3 2007 By Andy McGilvray

At least five first-team players are likely to leave New Douglas Park, with Marvyn Wilson, Derek Fleming and Australian Scott Tunbridge expected to lead the exodus.

A question mark remains over the future of striker David Winters, who is stalling on a deal.

Goalkeeper Sean Murdoch, who has returned to Dunfermline now that his loan deal is over, may return as Reid looks to replace Dave McEwan, who left earlier this year.

Young midfielder Scott Agnew is expected to leave when his contract expires, alongside some young fringe players.

That will pave the way for new signings, with several targets already identified.

Reid says the calibre of player he’s looking to attract may need to be lured away from the SPL, such is the club’s ambition.

The 2007/08 First Division championship is shaping up to be a tough one, with Morton promoted from the Second Division as champions, replacing relegated Ross County, and Airdrie United, Brechin City, Stirling Albion and Raith Rovers involved in play-offs over the next fortnight.

Relegation from the SPL is still to be decided, and looks to be between Dunfermline and St Mirren, with Motherwell close to being sucked into the mire.

Reid wants to ensure his side are ready for next season’s challenge.

He said: “I’ve got targets and I’ve spoken to people but we haven’t pulled anything off as of yet, because these guys want to go off and play in the Premierleague. That’s the calibre of player that we’ve got to try and bring to this club.

“We will look in the summer to try to strengthen the squad and there will be five or six players leaving.

“Marvyn Wilson is a player that has given us everything for two years but it’s been stop-start for him in terms of injury and I’ve got some young guys that have to be brought through the system.

“Marvyn understands that. He leaves with our blessing and Derek Fleming is in the same boat.

“We have to get a squad together and we know how difficult it’s going to be next season but we’re now an established First Division club at the top end of the table.

“I know how ambitious the chairman, Ronnie MacDonald, and the vice-chairman, Les Gray, are. I certainly don’t want to lie down; I want to progress.”

Reid was proud of his young side’s second-half display as Hamilton ran title hopefuls St Johnstone close in their season finale at New Douglas Park on Saturday.

Accies were 3-1 down at half-time, but a wonder-strike by Richard Offiong and a late consolation by Brian Wake saw them lose just 4-3 ... with Saints pipped to the title by Gretna in dramatic style.

Reid said: “We were absolutely murdered in the first half. It was an experienced side against a young side and that showed.

“We were second to every ball and were lucky to come in at half-time 3-1 down.

“I had a right go at the players at half-time and I haven’t done that too many times, but they responded. To be 3-0 down and fight back all the way, scoring some smashing goals, was a credit to them.

“We’re at our best when we pass the ball and we didn’t do that in the first half but we did in the second, which takes a bit of bottle.

“Young James McCarthy is 16, some of the rest are 18 or 19, and I was proud of them.”

He added: “We started to believe in ourselves and take a bit of responsibility in the second half and that was the difference.

“We’ve come a long way this season. We’ve got numerous young professionals coming through the system and that bodes well for the future.

“We missed our captain on Saturday when Alex Neil pulled up in the warm-up, Mark McLaughlin was playing his first game since October, and David Elbert had a double hernia operation. We were stretched to the limit, but still kept bouncing back.

“I’m proud to be the manager here and love to see young guys learning their trade.”

Reid has been pleased with progress this season and is proud that Hamilton once again triumphed over adversity.

He said: “It’s disappointing that Dundee pipped us to third place on goal difference but I’m not overly concerned because there isn’t much difference between third or fourth.

“It’s been a rollercoaster, and we’ve been through a lot this season. We started poorly, as we all know, didn’t get a run in the cups, and, due to circumstances, we had several main players out for long periods.

“In the last five or six weeks, we’ve had more or less a full squad to choose from, and that has been the case for the first time since I arrived as manager two seasons ago.

“It’s been an amazing season when you look at what we’ve had to deal with.

“It’s been an up-and-down season but I feel as though we’ve progressed.”

With more young talent ready to come through the system at New Douglas Park, Reid believes things are looking up but he also can’t wait to get some older heads through pre-season.

He said: “If I can keep Chris Swailes fit and playing every week with Mark McLaughlin, David Elebert and Brian Easton, then the future’s bright.

“When I brought Chris to the club I told people he would be a player, and I think he’s been excellent.

“I’ve also been delighted with Sean Murdoch. He’s done the club and myself a right turn and I would like to thank him for that.

“Sean is one that I would like to keep but I don’t know what will happen. It remains to be seen if Dunfermline stay in the SPL.”