Accies can win league opener says boss Reid

Aug 2 2007

HAMILTON boss Billy Reid this week threw down the gauntlet to his side as they prepare for Saturday’s visit by Dunfermline to kick-off the new season.

The Pars provide opposition at New Douglas Park on the opening day of the new Irn-Bru First Division, and after an encouraging display in Tuesday’s friendly at Falkirk, Reid believes his side is ready for the challenge that lies ahead.

He said: “Playing the likes of Falkirk is the stage that this club should be playing on, and I think we’re good enough to perform at this level, in terms of how we want to structure the club and how we want to progress.

“It will be a hard game on Saturday, Dunfermline have got experienced players, but we’ve progressed as a club and a unit and we will make it difficult for them.

“Dunfermline won’t relish coming to New Douglas Park, our home form has been good in the last two years, and if we play to our potential there’s no reason why we can’t go and win the game.”

Reid was delighted with the workout his club got against an impressive Falkirk side.

He said: “It was a great exercise in terms of how we try to get the ball down and play, and we didn’t get any injuries, which is important.

“We could see the player that Neil Teggart is going to be, and Richard Offiong got his first 45 minutes of the season.

“He’s got a bit to go, but we know that.

“We’re not too far away with our final team, there are a couple of selection headaches, — but that’s healthy — and I’ll have everybody to choose from, which is good.

“There is competition for places. Big Richard has only played 45 minutes, Neil Teggart is still a wee bit short of match fitness, but you can see what they bring to the party, and Chris Swailes will come up for Saturday’s game.”

Accies go into a hectic schedule of four games in two weeks, with East Stirling the visitors in the CIS Cup first round on Tuesday at 7.45pm.

And Reid added: “We’ve got four games in two weeks, three of them are at home, and we will use our full squad, because we’re still getting our fitness.

“Everybody will be involved and hopefully we can make a decent start to the season.”

Veteran defender Chris Swailes has signed a year-long part-time deal at the club, and Reid was set to run the rule over trialist Ben Webster in a bounce game last night (Wednesday).

The manager was also running the rule over a 22-year-old Czech Republic international goalkeeper.

Meanwhile, striker Ryan Harper has had his two-year contract terminated by the SFA over an issue relating to his registration history in Spain.

Young Chris Jones, who had been the subject of a season-long loan, has also been recalled by Swansea City.

Winger Kevin Davison is suspended for Saturday’s match after picking up two bookings in last season’s SFA Youth Cup.

l This Saturday’s league opener will begin with a minute’s applause in memory of former kit manager and scout Jim Kennedy, who passed away on Sunday.