Reid’s player search continues as start of season draws closer

Jul 19 2007 By Andy McGilvray

HAMILTON ACCIES continue their chase for three players that boss Billy Reid reckons will make a real difference to his First Division campaign.

One of the deals, involving a major club, has stalled slightly, but Reid hopes to have his man in place before the August 4 kick-off.

However, the manager declined to comment on rumours that Hamilton are preparing to bring back their former midfielder Brian Carrigan from Linlithgow Rose.

One player who definitely won’t be joining the New Douglas Park revolution is midfielder Derek Young, who is expected to leave the club today (Thursday), following a two-week training stint.

Reid said: “There is a lot happening at the club at the moment, there’s nothing concrete as yet, but we will add to the squad.

“I’d like to have the players in place now, or for it to have happened last week, but all I can say at the moment is that we will add probably at least three players before the start of the season.

“It’s not young lads we’re looking for, but players who are going to make a difference.

“I’m happy with what I’ve got here just now and I feel if we can add these three or four players then we should be ready for the rigours of the First Division.

“We’re looking for two strikers, an attacking midfielder, a right full-back or centre-back and another striker.”

On the Carrigan rumours, Reid said: “Brian is a quality player and we’re looking for quality players but he’s signed with Linlithgow Rose at the moment.”

Hamilton continued their pre-season programme with a 2-0 win in a bounce game against a young Rangers side at Murray Park on Saturday, thanks to first-half strikes by Paul McLeod and Brian Wake.

Reid said: “I’m happy with the structure of pre-season, but a wee bit disappointed that Neil Teggart and Richard Offiong haven’t been able to play yet. It will be a massive boost for us when they start.

“We had an excellent closed-doors game against Rangers at Murray Park on Saturday. They had a young side out, but we had young players too, played really well, and got something out of the game, which was important.

“We didn’t have a bad player. Everybody got pass marks.

“We looked strong, changed the formation a wee bit and went back to 4-3-3, which served us well.

“Chris Swailes came up and got his first 45 minutes of pre-season and he’ll be back on Saturday to play another half.

“When you think that we’ve got Chris Swailes, David Elebert and Mark McLaughlin fighting for two places, that tells you the strength of our squad at the back if we keep them fit.”

Reid is looking forward to pre-season friendly matches against Airdrie United tonight (Thursday), and Halifax Town (Tuesday), both at New Douglas Park. Admission prices have been set at £5 for both matches.

Reid said: “I’m looking forward to the Airdrie United game. It’s the first home game, we need to go and pass the ball like we did against Rangers, and we’ll do that. I expect us to perform.

“We’ve then got Halifax, which will be a smashing test. It always is against teams from England.

“Most players will get a run-out against Airdrie, and that will lead us into the remaining games.

“We’re gathering momentum, and I could do with a good game on Saturday, July 28, but we will hopefully get one arranged, and then most of the players will take part in the Falkirk game on July 31 for 45 minutes to sharpen up.

“Fitness-wise, we’re looking good. In the first couple of games, we were tinkering but we’re starting to get up to pace.”

Reid was delighted with Tuesday’s CIS Cup first-round draw, which paired Accies with Third Division minnows East Stirling at New Douglas Park on Tuesday, August 7.

He said: “It’s a home tie, which is good, but you can take nothing for granted in football.

“East Stirling will come here trying to take the scalp of Hamilton Accies, and we’ve got to make sure we’re ready for that.

“But we can’t complain about the draw. We start the season with two home games and the Cup tie is against a team from another division. We’ll be favourites for the tie but we’ll be taking nothing for granted.”

l Tonight’s friendly against Airdrie United kicks off at 7.45pm. Tuesday’s clash with Halifax Town has a 2pm start.