Ex Scotland boss tips McArthur to reach the top

Jul 30 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

FORMER Scotland boss Craig Brown this week tipped Accies midfielder James McArthur to reach the very top - and believes he’ll don the dark blue of the national team before long.

Midfield ace McArthur has already been capped at under-21 level but Brown reckons the 21-year-old is one of the hottest prospects in Scottish football at the moment.

Brown, who was born and raised in Hamilton, said: “I think there are one or two of the Hamilton boys that could play for Scotland.

“Obviously James McCarthy won’t and he gets the big publicity, but I think the other one, James McArthur, is outstanding.

“I saw Hamilton several times last season and in one game in particular, when they beat Kilmarnock 1-0 at Rugby Park, James McArthur gave a masterly midfield display. It was as good a performance as I saw all season.”

He added: “It’s great to see Accies doing so well and I’m delighted with the progress that the young guys are making under Billy Reid, who is a former Clyde manager like myself!”

Meanwhile, Brown was delighted to see James McCarthy and Brian Easton seal moves to the English Premiership and looks forward to seeing them in action.

He said: “I didn’t think I would ever see the day when someone from Hamilton Accies would move to the Premiership for £1.2million, but it’s a good move and a good club he’s gone to.

“I know the owner of Wigan, Dave Whelan and he’s a smashing guy. It’s a very well-run club, and James is working with Graeme Jones, who he worked with at Hamilton, so he knows the coach.

“I live in Preston at the moment and Wigan is not too far from there and I see them quite a lot.

“I do commentary down in England for Radio Five Live and I’m looking forward to seeing the two boys from Hamilton playing in the Premier League.”