Top Marks in title battle

Apr 25 2008 By Andy McGilvray

EMOTIONAL Mark McLaughlin stood in the corridor of New Douglas Park with his championship medal. trying to absorb everything that just went before him.

It's taken the 32-year-old defender some time to win the First Division, and he admits it's been a bit of a rollercoaster ride.

An injury-ravaged season last term robbed Marko of a chance to help Accies' youngsters to the top flight, and he's just delighted to have crossed the finishing line.

But he quickly added that he's in desperate need of a holiday!

He said: "It's fantastic to have won the league; it's quite an achievement, I must admit, and it's been a long, hard season.

"Last season was pretty much a write-off for me and I only played about five games, so to come in and help Hamilton win the league is brilliant - I'm over the moon.

"We've been brilliant this season, but so have Dundee - they pushed us all the way, and to need 75 points to win the league says it all.

"It's a great achievement for us, and it's fantastic for the young boys who have come in this season.

"It's also not bad for the old heads, like myself, Chris Swailes and Stuart Taylor - I'm absolutely delighted.

"It's been a long journey for myself to try and get to the SPL, so I can't wait."