Slovakian duo play for chance to clinch deals

Jul 12 2007

HAMILTON boss Billy Reid hopes to significantly strengthen his side within the next seven days as he gears up for the 2007/08 season.

At least three players could be brought in as Reid scours the market.

The manager knows his side needs to strengthen in their midfield-to-forward areas, and to help with that two Slovakian trialists are likely to feature in a bounce game against Hibs tonight (Thursday).

Reid said: “We need to get more goals into our team and we’re covering quite a network of players.”

Midfielder Derek Young is still training with the New Douglas Park club, but no decision has been made.

Reid said: “Derek knows the situation, but we are looking at that.

“It’s important that we get the right players and we have made moves for a couple.

“We’re looking for good young players who are hungry and willing to do well, that’s the motto of this club, but I’m not hiding the fact that I would like a wee bit of experience to get us through.

“I think if we add that we’ll be ready for the season.”

Reid has been delighted with the attitude his players have shown in pre-season and said: “We’ve had a fantastic pre-season so far and the effort has been great because it’s been really intense.

“But we will see the benefits in the coming weeks, and we will be ready for the start of the season.

“Fitness is good and we’re working really hard. We’ve not got any sharpness yet, but that’s not what we’re interested in just now.

“We’ve got two to three weeks of intense work ahead of us, and we’re not looking to get sharp until a week before the season.”

Reid added: “We played Edinburgh City last night (Wednesday), and took that game because of the big park at Meadowbank.”

Reid refused to set targets for his squad ahead of the season, but everybody at the club knows what is required.

He said: “We’ve spoken to the players, we will set targets, but we’ll keep that in-house — I don’t think there is any point in bringing anything out in the press.

“We know what we want to achieve and have to do this year, the players know that, and I think we’re moving in the right direction.”