Billy Reid admits next two games are pivotal to survival hopes

Mar 17 2011 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

BILLY Reid admits the next two games will be vital to Hamilton’s survival hopes as they head into clashes with St Johnstone and relegation rivals St Mirren.

And Accies have been dealt major blows with news that they will have to do so without winger Dougie Imrie, who is suspended for both games, while injured trio Mark McLaughlin, Martin Canning and Mark Carrington struggle for fitness.

Staring at a seven-point deficit between themselves and St Mirren, boss Billy Reid knows how important the next two fixtures are.

The Paisley side travel to Tynecastle to face Hearts on Saturday while Accies entertain St Johnstone, still looking for their first home league win of the season.

Reid knows it’s an opportunity to close the gap to four points before going into the all-or-nothing clash in Paisley on April 2.

He said: “These are games that are crucial to this club if we are to make a dent on the team above us. The one at St Mirren is a must-win for us.

“We’ve got St Johnstone at our place on Saturday and it’s always an interesting game, but for some reason it’s never pretty against them although the games are certainly competitive enough.

“I think, like us at the moment, they’ve picked up a few injuries that certainly won’t help them.

“I think Michael Duberry might be out, as is Jody Morris, who is a player that I admire in the middle of the park and does the ‘Alex Neil’ role for Saints.

“But when you start with their goalkeeper and go through the team, they’ve got guys who have been around the block and they’re always a tough nut to crack.

“We’re pretty happy with how we’ve been playing but we’ve got to make sure we take our chances and don’t concede any late goals, which has been our Achilles heel all season.

“My belief is that, if we keep playing the way we have been for the last couple of weeks, it will come for us, because we’re knocking on the door.”

Reid doesn’t have problems to seek in terms of injuries and suspensions and said: “Dougie is suspended for both games and it just seems to be the case for us at the moment that when things are going pretty well something like this pops up and we’re missing arguably one of our most influential players.

“But we’ve got a squad to combat that and it gives somebody else an opportunity to come back in.

“However, Marco Paixao could be out, Martin Canning is certainly out and we hope Mark McLaughlin might make it if he comes through training this week.

“David Buchanan is now back into it so that is a boost.”

Reid felt his side were unlucky to emerge with nothing from Thursday’s clash in Dundee after Jon Daly’s last-gasp strike.

Reid said: “Losing late goals has happened to us so many times this season.

“I don’t think anybody doubted that we deserved at least a point but once again we didn’t defend well enough.”