Accies boost squad ahead of Killie clash

Aug 13 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON expect to add John Paul Kissock and Luis Rubiales to their squad for Saturday’s SPL curtain-raiser at Kilmarnock after agreeing terms with both players.

Midfielder Kissock (19), who had a previous stint in the SPL with Gretna, agreed a one-year deal with the New Douglas Park club yesterday (Wednesday) following his release from Premiership side Everton.

Ex-Levante left-back Luis Rubiales (31) has agreed a similar deal but is still clearing up a few matters to secure his release from Alicante in Spain.

Reid said: “John Paul is a good player and has great potential. He wanted a chance to play, he knows we’re a team that passes the ball, and that’s what we like to do.

“He’s at a great age and this is a fantastic opportunity for him to show what he can do.

“I also expect Luis Rubiales to sign for us and be available for Saturday and we’re delighted.

“He’s a captain of his club, brings a wealth of experience to us, and is the right type.

“With Brian Easton away and James Gibson injured I had to move quickly and I’m really happy with the player I’ve got.”

Reid isn’t finished in the transfer market either, and is eager to strengthen up front, despite landing Portuguese twins Marco and Flavio Paixao last week, as had been expected.

“It’s an area of the team where I’m happy with what I’ve got,” Reid said, “but I think we need to add to it and that’s what we’re hoping to do.

“We’ve got an idea of what we need and if we get one or two then I think we’ll be a bit closer to what we want.”

Reid also confirmed that the club is awaiting a work permit for a young Brazilian star, although he’s keeping his counsel for now.

He said: “There’s a young Brazilian lad over here at the moment, he’s 18 years old and is a tremendous talent, but he needs to be given a bit of time in terms of settling in, getting the work permit, and the whole thing.

“He’s a fantastic young talent, but I don’t want too much pressure to be put on him at the moment.”

One player who, perhaps surprisingly, will remain in Hamilton’s squad is striker Richard Offiong, who has knocked back summer moves to League One side Colchester United and Greek outfit Skoda Xanthi. Reid insists the Englishman still has a part to play at Accies, but only if he keeps his work rate up.

He said: “We allowed Richard Offiong to go and speak to a few teams because he’s got a year to go on his contract and we felt as though they had made a fair offer.

“I don’t want to be in a situation where I’m standing in people’s way – that’s the way it’s always been, and Richard’s no different than anybody else here.

“Richard can do anything; he had a spell last year when I think he scored five goals in seven games and he played a big, big part in our season.

“He’s just got to be a wee bit more consistent and I’ve told him that if he stays hungry on the park and wants it, he can score goals at this level.

“It’s just that at times he maybe takes his foot off the gas a little and if he allows himself to do that then he won’t feature and won’t be the player that he could be.

“But in terms of pace, power, finishing and goals, Richard has got the lot – it’s up to him if he wants to bring that out.”

Meanwhile, Reid said his side is ready for their SPL opener at Rugby Park, even though they’re missing SIX first-team stars.

Injury has ruled out captain Alex Neil and left-back James Gibson, while midfielder James McArthur and defenders Martin Canning and Mark McLaughlin are suspended.

Right-back Trent McClenahan is also out, as he’s still recovering from a double hernia operation in the summer.

Reid said: “I think we’re looking forward to it.

“It’s a decent surface at Rugby Park, and I think the two teams will play the same system, so it’s going to be a case of who is going to win the individual battles.

“I certainly know the players will be ready – I don’t have any doubt about that, and the one thing I guarantee fans is that they’ll get a group of players who will go on to the park and fight tooth and nail for the club.

“I think they’ve always done that since I’ve been at the club and it will be no different with this squad.”

Reid is keeping his options close to his chest, but with skipper Alex Neil out until Christmas and understudy James McArthur suspended, he’ll be looking for somebody to lead Hamilton out on Saturday.

Reid said: “With Alex out the captain of the club is easy for me – it’s James McArthur.

“James has been vice-captain and Alex is grooming him to be a captain one day.

“He’s a fantastic player, a natural leader both on and off the park and I can’t speak any more highly of him.

“With James suspended I’ll need to look to somebody else for the day – but I’ll decide that on Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Hamilton hoped to have two of their current squad on international duty last night (Wednesday).

If Marvin Andrews was selected for Trinidad and Tobago for their World Cup qualifier against El Salvador he would have earned his 101st cap, while David Louhoungou was called up to the Congo squad for their friendly against Morocco in Rabat.

They would also be only the fourth and fifth Accies players to be capped at full international level.

Izzy Iriekpen is believed to be in contention for Nigeria’s squad, while Trent McClenahan could soon earn a call-up for Australia.