Brian gets a lifeline

Aug 7 2008 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON boss Billy Reid has given midfielder Brian Carrigan one last crack at the big time, after handing him a one-year deal.

Reid, who has known 28-year-old Carrigan since he was a youngster at Clyde, wants him to grasp it with both hands, after agreeing a reputed £15,000 fee with junior side Linlithgow Rose for his services.

And Reid hopes this week to tie up Finnish winger Sebastian Sorsa on a deal, after the former HJK Helsinki star impressed during pre-season training.

Carrigan is no stranger to New Douglas Park, having been at Accies from 2003 to 2006, before dropping down to the East of Scotland League.

Reid said: “We’re going to give him an opportunity. Brian has looked as though he has matured, and it’s obviously his last chance at a level like this for him.

“What I have said to Brian is for him to give it his best shot, and I believe that he is going to try and do that.

“If that’s not enough then there’s nothing else we can do.

“We all know he has the ability, Brian always had ability, but he has wasted some years of his career at a level that he shouldn’t be playing at, and that is no disrespect to Linlithgow Rose.

“We’ve given him an opportunity, and I hope he takes it. He’s not a bad lad, and he has matured as a person. Hopefully he can play a part in creating something for Hamilton Accies in the Premier League.”

Reid is waiting on League One side Leeds officially releasing 24-year-old Sorsa, and hopes that will happen before the end of the week.

Reid is also hopeful of adding more new faces as he bids to tackle the SPL.

He said: “We need to add to the first-team squad. We’re happy with our core of players, but we need to make it stronger and we have to provide more competition for places, in case we pick up a couple of injuries, as is going to happen throughout the season.

“Up at this level you can’t bring in loan players during the season, once the window shuts that’s you, so we need to make sure we’re covered in every department.”

Reid also confirmed that defender Tom Parratt has been placed on the transfer list.

He said: “Tom served us well last season but things haven’t worked out. He leaves with our best wishes and we hope he gets something sorted out.”

Monday’s SPL opener with Dundee United is pay-at-the-turnstiles and kicks-off at 7.45pm.

• Hamilton are involved in the second round of the Co-operative Insurance Cup, and the draw will take place in Edinburgh tomorrow (Friday), at 2pm.

LAST CHANCE: Brian Carrigan has been given a second stint at Hamilton after signing a one-year deal. The midfielder is pictured with boss Billy Reid during his previous stint at New Douglas Park.

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