Hateley will make his name at Accies

Jul 17 2008 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

READING defender Tom Hateley is on his way to Accies.

The 18-year-old’s father, Rangers legend Mark Hateley, confirmed on Monday that Tom was about to sign a loan deal that will take him to New Douglas Park for a year.

In an exclusive interview with the Advertiser, the former Monaco and England striker said Billy Reid would help Tom develop as a player .

But Mark – who himself followed in the footsteps of famous father Tony – warned that Tom needs to learn to live with the famous Hateley name.

Mark (46), said: “I’m proud as punch to say that I followed on from my dad, and Tom’s following on from me, and got a professional contract offered to him by a club in the SPL.

“Tom has done pretty well down there at Reading; he’s got a good head on him, and I’m absolutely delighted that he’s going to be coming up to play for a year – if not longer – at Hamilton.

“It’s a great step for him, to be coming up to play in the SPL, to be playing for a team like Hamilton, and it’s something that I think he’s tremendously looking forward to. He’s very excited.

“He had an illness while he was on holiday there, which he’s recovering from, and that has held him back a week but they’re working hard with him down at Reading to get him fit.

“As soon as he comes up here he’s going to be hitting the ground running and, hopefully, he shouldn’t be too far away by the end of the week.”

Tom is no stranger to Scottish football, having arrived in the country from Monaco as a toddler in 1990, when Mark signed for Rangers.

He has since watched DVDs of his dad’s former glories, so Mark is confident that Tom will be ready for the “physically-demanding” nature of Scotland’s top-flight.

Pundit Mark, who also works in an ambassadorial role with the Ibrox club, told Accies fans they’re getting a defender who will give nothing less than 100 per cent commitment.

He said: “Tom has a tremendous left and right foot. He’s aged 18, still growing at 6’ 1”, and he’s physically well-built. He’s very strong.

“I think his position was always going to be central midfield or as a centre-half because of his ability to be able to see the game on both sides, and he has a great engine as well, so he gets about the pitch.

“He tackles pretty ferociously as well, so I think he should slot in pretty well to Billy Reid’s style of play.

“He has a pretty good technique, and I think it’s far better than mine at his age, while he has the experience of having been in football all of his life as well.

“He knows what to expect, so nothing will sneak up around the corner and surprise him. He knows exactly what to expect.”

Mark knows that big things will be expected of Tom, but insists that he’s his own man.

He said: “Tom has a good head on his shoulders, he’s a sensible lad, and it’s all there for him now.

“The comparisons stop with the similarity of the name. He is a Hateley, but he’s not a centre-forward Hateley, so that’s as far as it goes. He’ll stand on his own two feet and make his own decisions, make his own way.

“Initially the surname will get him highlighted, but that’s been the case for the last couple of years down south anyway. He’ll be able to deal with that; a name is a name, and he can move on from it.

“He’s going to play in midfield or defence and that’s where the similarities end; unless Hamilton get a free-kick or a corner, and then he’s expected to score – by his dad anyway!”

Mark is confident that Hamilton can make a major impact in the SPL, but warned that youthful exuberance can sometimes go against a team.

He said: “It’s a young side and it will be tough for Hamilton, obviously, to make the step up to the big league – but I’m sure they have the players who can acquit themselves well.

“They have young talent, with their abilities and naivetes, shall we say, that youth brings to a side.

“They’ve got a goal-scorer in Richard Offiong, and it’s important that they keep him fit.

“And we all know about James McCarthy and James McArthur, who are talented boys who can turn a game.

“It’s how they can grow up together that’s important – experience is the most important thing that you can give to a young player; throw him in at the deep end, play him in the top league, and give him the rewards that a top league can bring.

“But youth can work in both ways. When times get a bit tough and you get problems playing against the better sides, sometimes young players don’t see problems happening as quickly as they should do, while your more experienced players would sort it out.

“I can imagine Billy will have a sore throat a couple of months into the season from screaming orders onto the pitch!”