Staying injury-free is vital in title push, says Accies captain

Jul 14 2011 By Andy McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

ALEX Neil believes staying injury-free is the key to success this season for both himself and Hamilton Accies.

The influential skipper has spent much of the last two seasons on the sidelines and hopes that a sustained run in the team for himself and other key players can power Accies to First Division title joy.

Injuries played their part in a wretched season which saw Hamilton relegated from the SPL.

Neil (30) said: "This is a huge season for both Hamilton and myself.

"I haven't been able to play a lot of football in the last two seasons and it's important for me to stay fit and get as many games as I can.

"I think that goes for the team as well, because keeping players fit is going to be the key.

"I think if we can keep everybody fit there is no reason why we can't challenge for the title.

"We did that in the year when we won the First Division title, and I think that is going to be the key."

Midfield ace Neil also feels that friendly wins against Kilmarnock, Berwick and Gretna FC 2008, and Sunday's New Douglas Park clash against League One Huddersfield Town, will prepare them well for the challenge ahead.

He said: "Pre-season has been okay and I think we're shaping up quite nicely.

"It's important for us to prepare properly, and having a range of opponents is a good thing.

"We've played Kilmarnock in a closed-doors game, played Berwick on Friday, Gretna on Tuesday, and we've got Huddersfield Town at our place on Sunday.

"That's quite a range because Kilmarnock are in the SPL, Berwick are in the Third and Gretna are East of Scotland League, before coming up to Huddersfield, who are a pretty good team.

"It's important to have different levels of opponent, because that will show us where we are.

"We've won games against Kilmarnock, Berwick and Gretna so far, which is good, but it's all about fitness and getting prepared."

Neil has warned his Accies team-mates that life in the First Division isn't going to be easy following their drop down from the Premier League, and rival teams will be looking to claim an illustrious scalp.

He said: "We've got something to prove, but I think you've always got something to prove in football.

"When you're in the SPL you want to prove you're good enough to stay there, and when you're in the First Division you want to prove you're good enough to get up to the Premier League."

Sunday's friendly against Huddersfield kicks off at 2pm. Admission is £5 for adults and £1 concessions.

Supporters who have ordered and paid for season tickets can pick them up from the ticket office on Saturday from 11am-5pm, and on Sunday prior to the match against Huddersfield.

All season tickets are priced at £130 and adults can get two under-10 season tickets free with their purchase.

For more information call the ticket office on 01698 368650 / 368658.

HAMILTON boss Billy Reid said Tuesday's 4-0 win over East of Scotland League side Gretna FC 2008 was a good exercise, but is no further forward to making decisions on his squad.

While the New Douglas Park gaffer is pleased with how his squad is shaping up, he remained tight-lipped over the prospects of two trialists who featured.

Striker Derek Lyle, who was with the club from 2008 until leaving in January, scored in the friendly win at Berwick and missed a penalty at Gretna, but Reid has been pleased with what he has seen.

He said: "Derek is on trial with us at the moment and has played a few games.

"I've been on record as saying that we need to sign a couple of forward players, so that's why we're looking at him."