Captain Neil revels in guiding team to SPL

Apr 25 2008 By Andy McGilvray

HAMILTON captain Alex Neil says leading his side to the First Division title on Saturday was the proudest moment of his career - and he can’t wait for a crack at the SPL.

The 26-year-old was emotional as he collected the Irn-Bru First Division trophy, and in doing so fulfilled a three-year promise to boss Billy Reid.

And the midfielder, who was forced off with injury but reappeared to collect the silverware, said: "We've finally won the league and that feels brilliant.

"Winning the league as captain of Hamilton is my proudest moment ever as a player.

"With the amount of quality we have in our squad, it's an honour to be leading us into the SPL and I'm over the moon."

Neil admitted that Dundee pushed Hamilton close, but says they're worthy winners.

He said: "We’ve been top since the second week of the season, so I think it's well deserved, but it was a hard slog.

"Dundee have had a great season as well, to be fair to them, but I think we've thoroughly deserved it.

"We were in the same position all season where we knew if we kept winning we'd stay top.

"We knew that if we kept playing well and churning out wins we would do it.

"I think we had one or two blips in the season where we haven't played well, but in the majority we've been unbelievable."