Murdoch aims to be the best this season

Jun 11 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

SEAN MURDOCH reckons Tomas Cerny was Accies’ top player last season - but he’ll be doing everything he can to put him out of the team when the new campaign kicks off!

As understudy to one of the SPL’s most outstanding goalkeepers, Murdoch has only had a handful of opportunities to show what he can do but he hasn’t let anyone down when he has been called upon.

Although frustrated at not playing a bigger role, Murdoch is full of praise for the Czech star who’s been keeping him on the bench.

He said: “Overall, it’s been good but I saw the lads congratulating each other after the Motherwell game when they knew they had stayed up and I didn’t really feel part of it because I wasn’t in the team.

“However, manager Billy Reid has been great with me and tells me I’m in his plans and Brian Potter, the goalkeeping coach, also keeps me going.

“It’s only really Tomas Cerny who has kept me out with some outstanding performances but hopefully it will be different next season.

“I’m first to congratulate Tomas if he’s had a good game. I think he’s been Hamilton’s best player over the whole season and I’m the first to say that.

“It’s a hard position, it’s not like a defender or a midfielder who can play in a slightly different position. You’re either playing or you’re not; there isn’t the same versatility. There’s only one man for it, Tomas got the nod from the start of the season, and to be fair he hasn’t looked back.

“But I will be pushing myself next season and I’ll be working extremely hard to get the jersey off him.

“You never know, I might start next season if I do well enough in pre-season. The manager is very fair and says if somebody is doing well in any position then they will play, no matter what. It’s up to me so I’ll push myself.”

Murdoch has played in two winning sides against Motherwell, started at Celtic Park when Cerny was suspended and played a blinder in the final match of the season against St Mirren.

Four games in one season isn’t ideal but Sean is philosophical about it.

He said: “It’s frustrating for me but that’s football. I’ve only managed a few games, but a few is better than nothing.

“I feel that I’ve done OK in the games I have played and shown the manager that if I’m called on I won’t let anyone down, and that’s important.”