Richard out to give mate the runaround at Rugby Park

Aug 21 2008 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

RICHARD OFFIONG can’t wait to get to grips with defender Simon Ford during Saturday’s SPL tussle at Kilmarnock but hopes to leave his friend dejected at the outcome.

Offiong, who got off the mark in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Inverness, hopes to give his old mate a torrid time as Accies bid to maintain their excellent start to the SPL campaign.

Offiong said: “I’ve only been to Rugby Park once and that was to watch a game, because I know a few of the boys there.

“I know Simon Ford, the centre-half, and it will be good to get to grips with him on Saturday.

“But I haven’t planned any wild celebrations if I score. I never do – I just score the goals and whatever happens happens!”

Offiong added: “I’m pleased to get off and running after such a good start to the season because it was important for us to get a win and keep that going.

“I was delighted to get the goal, and it turned out to be the winner, so I was really pleased with it.

“Russell Duncan was with me the whole time but I wasn’t quite sure who it was at the time. I was just hell-bent on getting to the goal and slotting it in.

“It’s always good for a striker to get off to a good start because scoring breeds confidence.

“Luckily enough, I’ve been getting into goal-scoring positions, and I know now that I’ll be able to start putting them away on a regular basis.”

Offiong knows the challenge from Jim Jefferies’ typically well-organised side will be a tough one, but it’s one he’s ready for.

He said: “We can go there and put some points on the board again.

“We’d love a similar result to the CIS Cup last season but it’s going to be very hard. They know all about us now and I think the surprise factor is gone now because of the start we’ve had.

“But we’re just going to go out there and try to win the game.”

Richard is delighted with the start Hamilton have made to their SPL campaign but insists he had sno fears that the young side could cope with Scotland’s elite.

He said: “We’re not getting carried away. Our main aim this year is survival.

“Getting nine points out of nine by Saturday would be massive for the whole club and I don’t think anyone would have dreamed of having such a good start, but we’re confident that we can go out and get the results.

“I think we’ve coped fine with the step-up but we’ve got good players in the team, so I wasn’t afraid that we couldn’t do well – I knew we could.

“It’s just important for us to keep injury-free, suspension-free, and keep the run going for as long as possible.”