Accies' McLaughlin: We’ve still got what it takes to win the title

Dec 13 2007

MARK McLaughlin looked on in dismay as Dundee closed the gap on leaders Hamilton on Saturday but insists his side still have what it takes to win the First Division title.

Hamilton’s 2-0 defeat by Livingston at Almondvale, coupled with Dundee’s 3-1 home win over Stirling, means the two sides are level on points.

Ahead of Saturday’s visit by St Johnstone, Marko (32), said: “We knew there would be times this season when we wouldn’t have great performances and would lose games. It’s down to goal difference, but we’re still top of the league and we go into Saturday’s game with confidence.

“We didn’t suddenly become a bad side overnight, and hopefully Saints will find that out.

“It’s in our own hands and there are a lot of big games between now and the end of the season.”

McLaughlin says Accies will use Saturday’s disappointment as a spur as they try to win the league.

He said: “That was our worst performance of the season. Livingston started well and worked really hard but we just didn’t work hard enough as a team and that cost us in the second half.

“But we’ve had a great season so far so we’ll put it down to ‘a bad day at the office’ and come back on Saturday for what is a massive game against St Johnstone.

“On the road, we’ve lost three out of the last four, which is very disappointing for us, and is something we need to put right.

“We’ve got four out of our next five at home and that could go in our favour if we win those.

“We’ll come back hungry, show our desire, and make sure we maintain our good home record.

“The boys were very disappointed with Saturday’s performance.

“There will be a few games this season when we’ll probably play well and lose but the manner in which we lost on Saturday was the most disappointing aspect.

“We know we can play a lot better.

“We were all hurting and at the end of the day that just shows that we all care.

“We want to go and win the First Division and play in the Premier League next season so we need to put things right on Saturday.”