Midfield pair can bolster survival bid, says Reid

Jan 27 2011 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

BILLY REID hopes Accies’ new signings can bolster his side’s SPL survival bid as the New Douglas Park side enter a ‘critical period’ of the season.

The Hamilton boss swooped this week to snap up midfielders Aaron Wildig and James Chambers, and hopes to further boost his squad before the transfer window closes on Monday evening.

Dublin-born Chambers (23) signed until the end of next season from Shamrock Rovers, having helped them win the 2010 League of Ireland Premier Division title, weighing in with 11 goals.

Wildig (18) has signed until the end of the season on a loan deal from Cardiff City, for whom he has played 13 times.

Reid said: “It’s a critical period and, hopefully, we can add to our squad. We added Mickael Antoine-Curier, who has already got off the mark, and two central midfielders.

“We’re really happy with the signings so far. Aaron’s only 18 and it will take him a wee bit of time to adjust to the Scottish game, but he’s already played 13 times for Cardiff, so that tells you he has quality.

“James has a bit of flair and has played in a couple of bounce games and chipped in with a couple of goals. We hope they can make a difference. It’s about putting pieces into the jigsaw.”

Antoine-Curier hit his first goal of the season from the spot in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Inverness, and while Reid was satisfied with the point, he was looking for all three.

He said: “I think a draw was a fair result. We didn’t start the game well, in fact, we were really poor for the first 27 minutes.

“We then came alive, got the goal from a penalty and, in the second half, I thought it was pretty even.

“We could have won it, they could have won it, but we went there and tried to win the game. At this stage of the season we can’t just sit back and say that, if we could take a point from Caley, we’d be happy.”

Next up is Mixu Paatelainen’s high-flying Kilmarnock, who visit New Douglas Park on Saturday.

The Ayrshire side are without suspended Alexei Eremenko, while captain Craig Bryson is struggling with injury, and Reid hopes his side can go one better than the 2-2 draw against Killie in September, where Accies led 2-0 at half-time.

He said: “We battered them but then they got a penalty and clawed their way back into the game.

“This most vital part of the season for us, and we have to pick up points and put pressure on the teams above us.”

lHamilton’s Scottish Cup fifth round match against Dundee United at New Douglas Park on Saturday, February 5, will be screened live on Sky Sports at 12.45pm.

Meanwhile, Accies visit St Johnstone on Tuesday in a rearranged fixture. Kick-off is 7.45pm.