Reid refuses to rest on laurels

Oct 25 2007

HAMILTON boss Billy Reid praised his side after their stunning 5-0 win at Dunfermline... then warned it will mean nothing if they don’t beat Morton on Saturday.

Jim McInally’s side visit New Douglas Park keen to avenge their 2-0 defeat in August, but Reid wants his men to deny the Greenock men by maintaining their rich vein of form.

He said: “We’re telling the players to start again. What we’ve done so far means nothing if we don’t win on Saturday.

“Morton are coming off a good 1-0 win at Clyde and they’re on a wee run at the moment.

“They were bitterly disappointed in us turning them over at their own place, and they’ll come here smarting.

“They are a footballing team and I think our surface will suit them. Morton like to get the ball down and pass it. They have a few decent players, so it’s not going to be easy.”

Reid was understandably delighted with Saturday’s sensational performance and the winning margin.

He said: “We were exceptional right from the first minute. We got the ball down, passed it, and we pressed them all over the park.

“We’ve got good players but we showed how hard we work as a team, and that’s what got us victory.

“The players did everything we asked of them. We broke with pace, passed the ball and defended properly — it was the perfect game for us.

“We looked threatening every time we went forward, but we also seem to be in the habit now of not wanting to lose a goal and I think that’s just as important when you’re trying to win matches.

“We’ve had seven clean sheets in 10 games, which is incredible.”

Following Saturday’s clash with Morton Reid will lead his men to Tannadice for a CIS Cup quarter final clash against Dundee United on Wednesday.

“It’s an opportunity to get to the last four of a major competition, and one we don’t want to miss,” he said.

“It’s another chance for our young lads to test themselves against SPL opposition.

“Dundee United are doing well, and it will be a tough test, but it’s a game we’re looking forward to.”

Hamilton have been dealt a major blow with news that right-back Tom Parratt could be out for up to four months after suffering a Jones fracture — injuring the fifth metatarsal of his left foot — in Saturday’s victory.

Parratt will need an operation and boss Reid hopes to discover the full extent of the injury before the weekend.

Striker Paul McLeod is also doubtful for Saturday’s game, having tweaked a hamstring during a mid-week reserve game.

Meanwhile, Reid urged fans to be patient with his side in coming weeks and said: “I think our home games are going to be difficult now because teams will come to sit in and frustrate us, like Dundee did. I would urge our fans to be patient.

“We all want to score early, win games and in style, but we might need to just keep going at times and I want our supporters to get right behind us and be patient.”

Wednesday’s CIS Cup quarter final kicks off at 7.45pm.

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