Accies defender delighted with Bryn signing

Jun 14 2007

MARK McLAUGHLIN is delighted that Hamilton boss Billy Reid has snapped up goalkeeper Bryn Halliwell – because he believes his former Clyde team-mate is a top player.

The defender is now looking forward to playing in front of the 26-year-old shot-stopper who has been snapped him up by Reid after his release by St Johnstone.

The big keeper formerly played under Reid at Clyde will also be reunited with former team-mate and long-term friend Mark Gilhaney.

McLaughlin , pictured left, reckons Halliwell’s signing is a good bit of business, and said: “I’m delighted that Bryn has joined us – he’s a fantastic signing and will be great for us.

“I was at Clyde with Bryn and he had a few outstanding seasons before he got his move to Dunfermline.

“He has great experience and has obviously played in the SPL. I rate him very highly and look forward to playing alongside him again.

“I would be confident with Bryn behind me, but I don’t know if he’ll say the same about me being in front of him!

“Bryn is definitely up there with Dave McEwan and Sean Murdoch. I rated big Davie as the best in the First Division and while I don’t know much about Sean, he certainly came in and did a job for us.”

Having endured an injury-wracked season, McLaughlin is determined to get a good pre-season under his belt and get back into Hamilton’s defence.

He said: “Pre-season training starts on June 25 and I’m looking forward to that. I’ve started light work already and I just want to get back playing.”

Wing ace Gilhaney (22), said Halliwell will be a good influence on the team and in the New Douglas Park dressing room.

He said: “Bryn is a good goalkeeper who is looking to come here and play every week, and it will be good to see him at the club.

“We played together at Clyde and Bryn did really well, which got him his move to the SPL, which obviously didn’t work out for him, but I hope he comes in here and does well.

“I’ve been good mates with Bryn for a long time and it’s going to be good to have him in the team, because he’s very vocal and does a lot of talking, which you need to play in goal these days.

“We were looking for a goalkeeper after Davie left and Sean didn’t come back and I’m delighted that Bryn is who we’ve brought in.”

Gilhaney hopes that Halliwell and ex-Livingston striker Neil Teggart aren’t just the start of a signing spree that adds more experience to Hamilton’s ranks.

He said: “Neil has been in training with us and seems to be a good lad, so it will be great to see what he brings to the team.

“This is going to be a massive season for us, and we still need a few older lads in the team — hopefully the gaffer, Billy Reid, will sort that out.

“We already have a lot of good young players but we need a bit of experience in there.”

Having suffered a long-term injury last term, Gilhaney hopes to be at peak fitness for the August 4 kick-off.

He said: “Pre-season starts in a couple of weeks and I’m not exactly looking forward to that, but I’m eager to get the season started.”