Cerny faces challenge for Hamilton No 1 jersey, says newcomer Hutton

Jul 7 2011 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

Reid to step up hunt for striker

DAVID HUTTON this week heaped praise on Hamilton goalkeeper Tomas Cerny – then warned him that he’s ready to take his place.

Hutton (26) signed a one-year deal at New Douglas Park last week as back-up to the talented Czech and is well aware of the challenge facing him, but insisted that he’s not there just to make up the numbers.

Former Aberdeen, Clyde and Queen of the South stopper Hutton said: “I loved my time at Clyde and Queen of the South but I needed a new challenge and I’ve got that with Tomas here, who is a great goalkeeper with good experience.

“But I didn’t come here to sit on the bench – I want to play.

“I know Tomas (right) is a really good goalkeeper, but it’s up to me to push him to the brink, work hard and try to get in the team.

“You can see in training how good Tomas is, but I can only learn and try to push him – that’s what I’m here for.”

Hutton saw his contracts at Clyde and Queen of the South end due to budget constraints and he’s grateful to be given a chance at Accies, especially as there are a number of Scottish players scrabbling around for clubs this summer.

He said: “I’m over the moon. I was in training for a week and I went on holiday to Dubai still worrying about what was going to happen, but then Billy phoned me to say he wanted to sign me and that was a relief.

“I was very worried about getting a job this summer because I’ve got a family now and football – like anything else just now – is hard. There are a lot of boys out of contract just now.

“Billy said he was looking for somebody with First Division experience and that he had seen me over the years, so he trusts me – and that’s what I need from a manager.”

Like many who have experience of the First Division, David knows it’s a difficult league to get out of but is hopeful that Hamilton can do it.

He said: “Our main aim is to win the league but that’s a hard thing to do.

“I’ve been in this league for so long now, for about five or six years, and I know it’s difficult to get out of because on their day every team can beat anybody.

“But hopefully I’ll do well here in doing that and earn another contract with the club.”

Games are coming up thick and fast for Hamilton, with friendlies against Berwick at Shielfield tomorrow (Friday, 7.45pm), Gretna at Raydale Park on Tuesday (7pm) and League One side Huddersfield Town at New Douglas Park on Sunday, July 17 (2pm).

After that Hamilton open their Ramsdens Cup campaign against Queen’s Park at Hampden on July 23, with the First Division season starting at Ayr United’s Somerset Park on August 6.

Hutton can’t wait to get started and said: “Queen’s Park is always going to be a difficult game, but it’s one we’re looking forward to.

“We just need to take it one game at a time and give 100 per cent.”