Hamilton Accies try to extend loan on Antoine-Curier

Dec 3 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON boss Billy Reid is in talks aimed at securing striker Mickael Antoine-Curier on a longer-term deal.

The hitman, who has netted four SPL goals this season, is on loan from First Division leaders Dundee until January 1, but Reid is looking to extend that agreement.

Having last week negotiated an extended loan for Leicester midfielder James Wesolowski until the end of this season, Reid is keen to deal with the Dens Park club.

He said: “Mickael Antoine-Curier is on the agenda right now and we’re dealing with that.

“I’m more than hopeful that Mickael will stay here until the end of the season.”

Reid went on to praise 22-year-old Australian Wesolowski as a player who reminds him of himself.

Reid said: “James is my type of player. He’s a guy who plays for the team, gives 100 per cent – the same as I did as a player, and I appreciate that.

“He’s still a young lad and he’s had a lot of injuries, but he’s only 22 and I think there’s more to come from him.”

Heading in the opposite direction is former St Mirren winger Gary Mason (30), who has been released after playing only five times for Accies.

Reid said: “Gary came in at a time when we needed a body and he played his part.

“We felt that opportunities were going to be limited for him and his contract was due to expire at the end of December so we came to an agreement.

“He leaves with our best wishes and I’m sure he will find a club soon.”

Turning his attention to Sunday’s SPL clash against Hearts at New Douglas Park, Reid hopes his players will make life uncomfortable for their Edinburgh visitors and hopefully grab a slice of luck.

Accies have faced Csaba Laszlo’s men four times and although the games have been tight, the Lanarkshire side have only taken three points from 12.

Reid said: “It’s a game in front of our own fans, we want to do a wee bit better and pick up more points at home, but Hearts are a big club.

“It’s a difficult game and we realise that. But if we play to our potential then we’re no easy touch for anybody.

“I want our players to go out and make sure they’re in their faces, make sure Hearts can’t play, and take the game to them. When we do that we’re a hard team to play against.”

Reid was disappointed with Saturday’s display in the 1-1 draw at St Johnstone and said: “We were a wee bit frustrated and disappointed in how we played, but it’s a funny old game sometimes. There are times when you don’t play well and you get the points, and there are others where you can dominate and not take anything.

“We’ve been saying in recent weeks that we should have picked up more points but Saturday’s was a point that we didn’t play well enough to get, so we’ll take it and we’ve moved up a place in the table.”

Monday’s Active Nation Scottish Cup fourth round draw paired Hamilton with holders Rangers at New Douglas Park on January 10, and Reid says there’s no reason why they can’t cause an upset.

He said: “It’s an interesting draw. We’ve now had Rangers three times in cup competitions in two seasons, but the difference this time is that it’s at home.

“I watched the draw and I was delighted with the home tie because it’s what everybody wants. A game against Rangers is very interesting for us and it’s one that we look forward to.

“We’ve played Rangers a few times now and there’s nothing to fear from them, although we will give them the respect that they deserve.

“They’re one of the Old Firm, they’ve won the competition so many times, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t cause an upset.

“It means we’ve now got Rangers at our place twice in six days in January, both live on TV, and that’s fantastic for the players to be involved in.”

Sunday’s clash against Hearts kicks-off at 12.45pm and is also live on Sky Sports.