Big Czech is bouncing now his future is sorted

Jul 16 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

TOMAS Cerny admitted he breathed a huge sigh of relief when Hamilton and former club Sigma Olomouc agreed a deal enabling him to return to New Douglas Park.

Although the talented keeper agreed a two-year deal with Accies last term, having been on an extended loan from Sigma Olomouc, a wrangle between the clubs over a fee meant that when Tomas returned to his native Czech Republic over the summer he didn’t know where his future lay.

Although a deal hasn’t quite been finalised, negotiations are at an advanced stage and Cerny (24), is happy to resume his duties with the Scottish Premier League club.

Cerny told the Advertiser: “It was very important to me that things were sorted out between the two clubs because it was about my future, and I wanted to have things resolved as fast as possible.

“It took a little bit longer than I expected but now I think everything is settled and I can concentrate on football again.

“I’m happy to be back for the start of pre-season training with Hamilton, and I’m looking forward to the new season.

“Playing in the SPL is a big thing for me and I can get some more experience.

“We’ve got Kilmarnock away, Aberdeen at home and Rangers away in the first month and it’s a hard start, but we have to deal with that.

“There are no easy games in the Premier League; the teams are very similar and we can go anywhere and the games will be always very difficult.

“I hope we can use our experience from last season and maybe improve our performances.

“It would be great if we could start the way we did last season.”

Like many at the club Cerny said it’s a blow to see Brian Easton leave for Premiership side Burnley, but added that it’s a great move for the young defender.

He said: “Big Eastie has been great for us and played really well, but we’ll have to substitute him in the team now.

“I’m really happy for him because he’s got a great move to the English Premiership and I think it’s a good thing.

“I wish him all the best and hope he will break into the squad there.”

Cerny isn’t concerned about the prospect of young James Gibson taking over the left-back berth, and was full of praise for his performances last season.

He said: “I’ve played with ‘Gibby’ in many games and I think he’s able to play left-back for us because he’s very talented and a very good player.

“He played some very difficult games last season against Rangers and other teams and did really well, so I’m not worried about it.”

Going into the new season Cerny hopes Hamilton will continue to play football like they did last term, and says there’s a lot they can learn from the SPL debut.

He said: “We’ve had a year under our belts and have the experience of that.

“I don’t think it’s about learning one thing from that, but about a few things like confidence, knowing how the game goes in the SPL so that you can defend, and things like that.

“I think we adjusted well and I hope we can continue to play the way we did last season.”