McCarthy wants double-figure goal tally

Mar 27 2008

JAMES McCarthy scored his seventh goal of the season in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Stirling, and set his sights on double figures as he bids to help Hamilton win the First Division.

McCarthy (17), took just three minutes to grab the winner at Forthbank. He said: “It’s great to get on the scoresheet but more importantly it got us three points.

“My last goal was down at Queen of the South which made it 2-2, and while it was a decent point you want to win games, so it was great that I scored and we got the points.

“I threaded the ball through to Mark Gilhaney and he managed to pick me out, so I just hit it cleanly and I was pleased to see it going in – it was a decent finish.

“Hopefully I can get into double figures... and we’ve got another five games for me to get three more, but we’ll see what happens.”

The talented youngster was aware that the general performance in Saturday’s win wasn’t brilliant, and was frustrated that Accies didn’t kill Stirling off.

He said: “We made a good start and then fell away a bit. It would have been great to get a second goal but it was just one of those games.”

James added: “At this stage in the season we come off the pitch looking to see how Dundee got on, and we were disappointed to see that they had beaten Dunfermline, but we just need to keep on going.

“There are five games left to go and we’ve got Partick Thistle and St Johnstone at home in our next two games, and they’re big ones. We will have home advantage and our record at New Douglas Park this season has been great, but it won’t be easy, because Thistle and Saints are both decent sides.”

James says he gets plenty of help from the older campaigners. “The older guys like Alex Neil and Mark McLaughlin speak to me on the pitch and are always encouraging me – but it’s still tough.”

McCarthy was forced to pull out of the Republic of Ireland Under-19 squad for their friendly double-header against France this week due to injury, but was still pleased to get the call-up – and delighted to see midfield colleague James McArthur receive a second selection for the Scotland Under-21 squad. “It’s brilliant to get the call-ups and I’m happy that James and myself are getting that opportunity – hopefully Brian Easton, Tony Stevenson and James Gibson will get a chance soon.”