Lyle joins Accies as SPL preparations begin

Apr 30 2008 By Andy McGilvray

STRIKER Derek Lyle became Hamilton’s first summer signing on Monday when he agreed a one-year deal.

And Accies boss Billy Reid confirmed that former New Douglas Park winger Mark Corcoran has agreed a two-year pre-contract deal after his season ends with St Mirren later this month.

Having agreed to join Accies in January, former Dundee and Dunfermline striker Lyle (27) passed a medical on Monday morning before sealing the deal.

The Bishopbriggs man is just delighted to be at Hamilton and said: “I made the decision in January to come here, no matter what division Accies were going to be in.

“I’m happy to be at a club like this and it’s a real bonus that we’re in the Premier League.

“The gaffer, Billy Reid, has tried two or three times to sign me and that showed that he really wanted me.

“The set-up is tremendous and everything I’ve heard about the club has been positive.”

Lyle, who was with Dunfermline in 2004, was disappointed at not being given much of a chance to play in the SPL and intends to prove that he can cut it at the top level.

He said: “Hopefully, Billy will give me the chance here and I can prove that I can do it.

“Everybody wants to play in the Premier League and prove that they can play against the best. I’ll be doing everything I can to force my way into this team.

“I’ve played in the First Division for too long now and I want the step-up to see if I can hack it.

“I want to prove it to myself and repay the faith that Billy has shown in me to bring me here. I will be doing everything I can to prove that."

Boss Billy Reid is delighted to have finally landed Lyle and said: “Derek is the right type. Can he play in the Premier League? He’s unproven at that level, but so am I as a manager, and I have a group of players here who are in the same position.

“The important thing for me is that I know he’s the right type. He’s a fit guy and I believe he’ll become a better player by coming to this football club.

“I’m bringing in a guy who had an opportunity to play in the Premier League before and didn’t get it and that means he has a point to prove.

“I know he wants that chance and this club will give it to him, but he’s the same as anybody else; he’s part of a squad. If Derek comes in and does really, really well then it’s up to us to get him on another deal.”

Reid is aware that Mark Corcoran was a Hamilton hero during his previous stint before leaving for St Mirren in 2005 but stressed that had nothing to do with his decision to sign the winger.

He said: “We knew Mark hadn’t signed a contract at St Mirren and although he had left Hamilton before I took over, I’ve watched a few of St Mirren’s games closely and I feel he’s a player who can change a game.

“I think he’s got goals in him and he’s got pace, which is going to be paramount in the Premier League.

“I like to have width in my team and I hope he can make an impression.”

Hamilton players enjoyed a three-day break in Tenerife from Sunday to Wednesday and are due in at the club today (Thursday), when contracts for next season will be discussed.

The New Douglas Park club also confirmed that their Fieldturf surface will be ripped up on Monday, starting the process of installing undersoil heating and a grass pitch.