Reid: Weekend break will allow our crocks to heal

Mar 26 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON boss Billy Reid said this weekend’s international break couldn’t have come at a better time for his injury-ravaged side.

Accies jetted off to Marbella for a mid-season break in the sun, returned yesterday (Wednesday) and will work flat-out to prepare for the match against SPL leaders Celtic at Parkhead on Saturday week.

But for many in Reid’s squad, time will be the healer as they recover from various injuries.

And with new signing defender Lamine Diatta (33), who is captain of Senegal, given an opportunity to settle in, Hamilton could possibly be stronger than they have been for several weeks.

Reid said: “We’re trying to get as much out of everybody as we possibly can and we’ve signed Lamine Diatta until the end of this season to hopefully contribute as well.

“Trent McClenahan has returned to training so we’re hoping to get something out of him.

“It’s all hands to the pump at the moment but we’ll handle that.

“I think the international break has come at a good time and I think we’ve been crying out for something like that for the last few games. The three games in a week – two against Rangers and one against Hibs – stretched us to the limit. Some of the guys have earned the rest so we’ll take it.”

Reid added: “Richard Offiong was due to have a scan on his knee this week and we hope it doesn’t show anything.

“Brian Easton has a hamstring problem and there’s no chance in forcing the issue. We tried to do that with David Elebert and he’s out as well.

“James Gibson has been an able deputy but Easton is a big, big player for me so the rest has come at a good time for people like him.

“We’re more than hopeful that he’ll be back for the Celtic game.”

Reid was disappointed in taking only a point against St Mirren and felt Accies were the more attacking side.

He said: “We tried to win the game right from the start.

“In the first half, we were slightly the better side but just couldn’t get the break of the ball and when we did it’s been a great piece of skill by James McCarthy, with probably the best chance of the game, but it’s hit the post and bounced off the goalkeeper.

“Kenny Deuchar had a chance and blasted it over the bar.

“In the second half, St Mirren were better to start with but we made the substitution of Paul McGowan for Kenny Deuchar and I thought we came alive for 10 to15 minutes.

“I thought there was a wee shout for a penalty (when Chris Swailes appeared to be pushed at a corner) but we didn’t get much on Saturday, if I’m being honest.

“The positive we’ve got to take out of the game is that we had six guys out there who were 21 or younger and there is no other club doing that in the SPL.

“It shows how far we’ve come when guys like Grant Evans can come in and play in the Premier League.

“James Gibson looks like an SPL regular at the moment and when you add that to what is already there it’s quite remarkable.

“There is no way this group of players is just going to lie down. They’ve been like that for the last three years here.

“I’ve got no complaints. They’ve worked really hard and they earned their break.”

Reid was full of praise for striker Joel Thomas, a player who can delight and frustrate in equal measures.

He said: “People forget that Joel is only 21. He’s got a lot in his locker and if people just give him a wee bit of time he could mature into a decent player.

“He frustrates people at times by taking the wrong option but we’re working on him and I think there’s an improvement.

“He’s a big, strong lad with good pace. I think he needs to get his first SPL goal – once he does, I think we’ll see more of him.”