Young McCarthy leads the way as Accies secure four players on extended contracts

May 22 2008 By Andy McGilvray

HAMILTON Accies have secured James McCarthy, Brian Easton, Tony Stevenson and James McArthur on extended deals.

Midfielders McCarthy (17) and 20-year-old McArthur have agreed two-year deals, keeping them at the club until 2011, while defender Easton (20) and utility man Stevenson (19), who operates well in defence or midfield, will pen one-year extensions, until 2010.

The news comes, however, as 23-year-old winger Mark Gilhaney leaves the club to join Dundee after the clubs agreed a five-figure transfer.

Boss Billy Reid is delighted to secure the latest batch of players on longer deals, and feels that all four can become household names in the SPL.

He said: “I’m delighted that James McCarthy, Brian Easton and Tony Stevenson will sign new deals, and on Friday we also received news that James McArthur will sign a two-year deal.

“I feel that shows the ambitions of this football club, that these players want to stay with us and make the step-up to the SPL.”

Reid also wished Gilhaney well at Dundee saying: “We received an offer from Dundee and Mark decided to go. He has performed well at this club and I wish him all the best in the future.”

Gilhaney made 111 appearances for Hamilton and scored 10 goals since he signed from Clyde three years ago.

Fellow winger Kevin Davison, who had been on loan at Berwick and East Fife during the season, has been released from his contract while Gary Twigg, who joined Accies in January from Oxford Utd, has been placed on the transfer list.

Reid confirmed pre-season training will start back in earnest on June 30, but players are free to do light training between now and then.

Several stars already have but Reid knows it’s important for them to have a proper rest before preparing for life in the top flight.

Reid hinted that more work will be done within the next fortnight to further strengthen his squad.

He said: “We have two or three things to get tied up, and we want to secure our squad for the SPL.

“I’m happy with the way things are going, and there’s a feel-good factor about the place, as there would be at any club that has just won the league.

“There will be no bold predictions about next season, but we’ve kept most of our squad together, and I think that will stand us in good stead for the step-up.”

Meanwhile, Wishaw teenager Alan Love has signed a new one year contract at Premier League newcomers Hamilton Academical.

The 17-year-old was initially reluctant to sign on at New Douglas Park again after been unhappy with the terms he was offered.

The full back was set to go on a four-day trial at Aberdeen this week.

His father, Alan, said: “Billy Reid called him at the weekend and they had a good chat.

“He has enjoyed it at Hamilton and is pleased to get things sorted.

He added: “I think he has a good chance of establishing himself as a first team regular next season.”