McLaughlin: second win over Dunfermline will silence our critics

Oct 18 2007 By Andy McGilvray

MARK McLaughlin believes a second win this season against Dunfermline would silence critics who dismiss Hamilton’s title credentials.

The big defender reckons the 2-1 opening day win over the Pars, and Accies’ amazing record since, should have had people taking note, but he knows that some still expect their bubble to burst.

He said: “We played Dunfermline on the first day of the season and beat them, and hopefully people stood up and took notice then.

“But to go there and win on Saturday would be a fantastic achievement.

“They’re a really good side, but we’ll go there and be confident of getting a result.”

He added: “I think everybody sees Hamilton as a middle-of-the-table club, but we’ve finished third or fourth in the last couple of seasons.

“People are entitled to their opinions. At the end of the day they can turn around and say that we’re not a good side, but if we keep winning we’ll prove them wrong.

“We’ve played everybody in the league now and only lost once, and in that game we went in 1-0 up at half-time.

“We’re four points clear at the moment and, at the start of the season, if we had been offered that lead at this stage we would have bitten your hand off.

“But I’m not sure how important it is just now. We’re all delighted, but we’ll keep our feet on the ground because there’s a long way to go and it will be a long, hard season. It is a hard league but we’ve shown that we’re capable of beating anybody in the First Division.”

‘Marko’ firmly believes that selection continuity is the key to Hamilton’s hopes.

He said: “Hopefully everybody will stay clear of injuries and we’ll have a chance by the end of the season.

“We’ve got young players coming through. James McArthur has just turned 20, he has great ability, and he’s probably played 50-60 games for the club now.

“James McCarthy is only 16 and for that age he’s unbelievable. He does things with a ball that you can’t believe.

“David Winters has come in and his attitude has been absolutely fantastic — but everybody’s attitude has been excellent from the starting XI to the subs.

“Brian Wake comes on and gives everything he’s got. He’s been fantastic and is scoring goals but big Richard Offiong has been working hard to keep him out of the team.

“Everybody’s attitude is great. The young boys have a year’s experience of playing in the First Division and that’s good for them as well.”

On a personal note, Mark is delighted to have played every game so far and he grabbed his first goal of the season in last week’s vital 2-0 win over Dundee.

He said: “I was delighted with the goal and it was a massive game for us but first and foremost I was happy with the clean sheet after having given away a penalty at St Johnstone and us conceding the goals against them.”