Accies strengthen squad as Old Firm pair sign on

Jan 8 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON this week finalised deals to bring Old Firm duo Jordan McMillan and Paul McGowan in on loan – but boss Billy Reid warned they need to earn a first-team place.

Both youngsters have signed on until the end of May.

Striker McGowan (21), arrives from Celtic and comes with some pedigree, having made his Champions’ League debut as a late sub in the win over Villarreal last month.

He also played a major part as Morton won the Second Division title in 2006-07, scoring 16 goals from 44 appearances, but a fee couldn’t be agreed between the clubs.

McMillan (20), as reported last week, hasn’t featured in Rangers’ first team, but is reserve team captain and is extremely highly rated.

A delighted Reid said: “We’re happy to have them here. They’re two young lads who need experience of playing at first-team level, and they’ll be big parts of the squad.

“They’ve come from big clubs, but they’ve got to earn the right to play, like everyone else in the squad.

“We’ll give them an opportunity here to make sure they establish themselves, and now it’s up to them to take it.”

Reid added: “Paul went out to Morton in the Second Division a few years ago and did really well, scored goals and was a big player for them.

“I think it’s been frustrating for him that he hasn’t had many more opportunities.

“I’ve seen him play in Celtic’s reserves a few times and he’s just a young guy who needs a chance.

“He’s looked really sharp in training with us, and he’ll be a valuable member of the squad.

“Jordan is young and can play in a number of positions.

“He’s got decent legs and he’s a young guy with great enthusiasm – and that’s what this club is all about.”

Michael Videira and Sebastian Sorsa have been released by the club, while Chris Casement returned to Ipswich Town at the end of his loan deal.

Accies’ striker James Grady has signed a permanent deal at Morton after impressing on loan, and defender Tony Stevenson was shipped out on loan to First Division Clyde last week.

Reid hinted there may be more comings and goings during January.

He said: “We had to add to our squad because five players have left us so far, and hopefully we’ll bring in others to strengthen us a bit.

“There are one or two other wee avenues open to us and hopefully we will add to our squad before the end of the window.

“I know the names that I want and we will try and bring them in.”

Meanwhile, Reid warned First Division Ross County that he will send a strong side to Dingwall on Saturday in a bid to progress as far as possible in the Homecoming Scottish Cup.

He said: “We’ve beaten teams like Aberdeen, Motherwell and Kilmarnock and there’s no reason why, if the draw is kind to us and with a couple of good performances, we can’t go far in the cup – and that’s got to be the aim of this football club.

“I watched Ross County in their replay against Dumbarton in the last round, and they’re a good side with a lot of players with Premier League experience.

“But it’s a game we can win and we’ll be putting out our strongest team.”

New Douglas Park is still buzzing following Saturday’s excellent 2-0 win over fifth-placed Aberdeen, which Reid hopes is proof his side has turned a corner.

He said: “It’s a pleasing win because Aberdeen are a good side and were on a right good run coming here, having won their last four games.

“They were probably heavy favourites but we felt that because we had already beaten them at Pittodrie we would have another opportunity with the same group of players.

“I don’t think there is a big difference between a lot of the teams in the SPL.

“On Saturday Aberdeen had a few half-chances and it could have gone either way, but I think over the 90 minutes we deserved our victory.

“We looked pretty solid. Earlier on in the season we were conceding a lot of goals and I had to go and adjust that.

“Consistency is really important and we’re starting to get that now.

“We played 4-3-3 for so long and we’ve now changed our formation. It takes a wee while to adjust to that, and I think we’re now seeing the rewards.

“I’ve watched how other teams play in the SPL, and we’re adjusting to that.

“That’s three home wins on the bounce with three clean sheets.

“We’ve changed our philosophy in that we have to be more solid as a unit, and I think that shows.”