McArthur targets Killie as Accies aim to improve away record

Jan 22 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

JAMES McARTHUR pointed to Hamilton’s fine home form as the reason why they’ve pulled away from the relegation pack – but warned they’re still in a dogfight.

Accies have won their last three New Douglas Park fixtures against Motherwell, Aberdeen and Inverness without conceding a goal.

But James (21), wants Hamilton’s away form to improve as they head for a clash with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Sunday. Both sides have enjoyed a 1-0 home win in the two games this season.

McArthur said: “Saturday’s win was excellent for us. We’re on a good run of form at home right now and we’re starting to pick up results and to keep clean sheets as well, which is excellent.

“I think we’re working as a unit a lot more and we’re more solid at the back.

“It’s hard for teams down at the bottom to go on a run so it will be difficult for Inverness and Falkirk to get out of there but we know we’re still in the battle.

“We need to keep picking up points to try and push away from there as much as we can, but we’re looking at teams above us rather than below now.

“Sunday’s game is massive. Kilmarnock are only three points ahead of us and we can drag them right back into this as well so hopefully we can get another three points at Rugby Park.”

McArthur has enjoyed deputising for Hamilton captain Alex Neil for the last two league games but admits he’s looking forward to the midfield general’s return on Sunday. Neil was suspended for the games against Aberdeen and Inverness after breaching the disciplinary threshold but in his absence Hamilton won twice without conceding a goal.

However, McArthur said Neil is a key figure for a number of reasons.

He said: “Without being disrespectful to any other players here, Alex adds a lot to the way we play and we play a lot better when he’s in the team. He leads people.”

While honoured by the vice-captain role, McArthur admits he’s surprised by it because he reckons Hamilton have a dressing room full of leaders.

He said: “It’s very pleasing that I’ve been given that role. There are a lot of captains in the dressing room, like Mark McLaughlin for example, so I feel honoured to have been given it.

“If Mark wanted it he could have it, if I’m being honest, but I’m very pleased to have been given the chance, and that we won in the last two league games when I was captain.”