Accies gaffer delighted with Damian Casalinuovo signing

Sep 2 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON Accies boss Billy Reid admitted he was delighted to have finally landed Damian Casalinuovo from Dundee United on a two-year deal after chasing the striker for three weeks.

Argentina-born Italian Casalinuovo (23) was snapped up from the Tannadice club for an undisclosed fee less than an hour before the transfer window’s midnight closure.

But the gaffer says he might not be finished rebuilding his squad and Reid hinted that he may still bring in some free agents.

Reid said: “I’m really happy with the deal for Damian.

“I had been trying to bring him in for the last three weeks and I didn’t think we’d manage it, but we got him at the last minute.

“He’s proven in the SPL, has scored eight goals in 30 games and he’s a good age.

“I think he still has scope to develop, but he can play one up top, and he’s the right type.

“It was really important for us to add firepower and I think we’ve done that.

“He has come to Scotland from Argentina, has a good attitude, and has done really well against us for United. He’s a strong player who can add goals to the team.”

Reid tried to bring in other proven stars but was thwarted on at least two occasions.

He explained: “I looked at bringing Mickael Antoine-Curier back in from Dundee but he has had problems with his knee again so we looked elsewhere.

“I had one player in mind and we had agreed a deal with his club but he didn’t want to come to us – sometimes that happens in football.

“I could bring in one or two others who have been released from their contracts and I would like one more midfielder, but we’ve got a few players still to come back in from injury.”

Reid, meanwhile, was ecstatic with his makeshift squad’s 1-0 win at Inverness, courtesy of Dougie Imrie’s wonder winner.

Defender Andy Graham and striker Nigel Hasselbaink made their debuts, while right-back Grant Gillespie and midfielder Jon Routledge started their first games.

Reid said: “It was a huge win for us. We started in the right manner and what a goal by Dougie – that was fit to win any game.

“I thought we were deserved winners, although Inverness put us under the cosh a bit towards the end and we rode our luck a bit at the back, but I thought we looked a threat on the break all the time.

“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a massive game for us and to get the three points, away from home, against a team that turned Dundee United over 4-0 last week, was an incredible turn-around.

“What I’ve said to the players is that if they can hang in there just now and dig in, when our key players come back we’ll be a lot stronger.”

Despite not being match-fit Hasselbaink looked a real threat and Reid was delighted with his performance.

He said: “Nigel is 19. He’s not even ready to play competitive football yet because he hasn’t featured in many games, but he proved he’s more than ready for the SPL.

“We threw him in and what a shift he gave us.

“He gives us something different. You look at his size and physical presence, but if you keep the ball on the deck, he can cause problems.

“I think the defender was terrified of his pace and knew Nigel had the beating of him – with a wee bit of luck, he could have scored on his debut.

“Nigel will continue to develop alongside Damian, and now that we’ve got them in, I think we’ll see the Paixaos come to life again.”

l Chief executive George Paterson this week left the club, with his duties now carried out by chairman Ronnie MacDonald and vice-chairman Les Gray.