Reid: We have to be on form

Oct 23 2008 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON boss Billy Reid has warned his side they will need to be on the form of their lives to take anything from this week’s double-header against Rangers.

The Ibrox side visit New Douglas Park on Saturday on SPL business before Accies return the favour in Tuesday’s Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final.

Reid hopes his side can arrest a form slump that has seen them lose their last four league games, but is well aware that Rangers will be expected to win Saturday’s lunchtime showdown.

He said: “Including the derby against Motherwell next Saturday the next three games are fantastic, and we’re looking to take something from them.

“We went to Celtic Park at the start of this month and I know it’s different playing away from home, but we were outclassed and I’d like to think we’ve learned from that because we can’t be as open.

“I need everybody playing at the top of their game. When we play teams like Rangers we can’t afford passengers.

“We believe we have some good players here but we need everybody taking part in the games.

“Rangers have better players than us, they’ve got international players who have cost a lot of money, and that’s no disrespect to the players we have.

“But if you’re not playing well you’ve got to work and fight for the team and we didn’t do enough of that on Saturday.”

Reid was disappointed in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by St Mirren.

He said: “We’re hurting a bit but in terms of possession and what we put into the match I believe we deserved something but we need to be more clinical in front of goal and that is a concern.

“Richard Offiong was our top goalscorer last season and he has one goal this year, although it got three points for us. We’re looking for somebody up front to take the lead for us but so far this season nobody has taken that mantel over.

“It’s difficult playing one up front, at times, but everybody else has got to take responsibility as well.

“On Saturday we didn’t defend well enough in wide areas and that caused us problems because the goals came from the left full-back who scored and created one with a cross as well. We need to work on that.”

Reid added: “We’ve only kept one clean sheet in 11 games this season and that isn’t enough. We’re putting pressure on ourselves to score goals but we need to make sure we keep it tight at the back as well.”

Hamilton have a key player returning from injury who could make a major impact in that, but Reid won’t play Mark McLaughlin until he’s 100 per cent. ready.

The big defender has recovered from a medial ligament injury, but Reid said: “Mark has worked really hard but I just can’t press that button because we can’t afford to lose him at this critical time.

“We need him for these games coming up and he’s a big player for us, but I would say we’re probably looking at the Motherwell game before he’s back.”

Billy has been pleased with the reaction from Hamilton’s supporters this season, and urged them to continue their backing.

He said: “The fans have been brilliant with us, I think they see what we’re trying to do and the effort they’re getting.

“They’re frustrated at not getting results – none more so than myself – but they’ve got to remember where we came from.

“There are a lot of pluses at this club but we need to get a wee bit of consistency between now and the January window. I’ve already got my eye on two or three for then, because we need to strengthen our squad and freshen it up a wee bit.”

Saturday’s game kicks-off at 12.30pm and is live on Setanta. Tickets are still available at the ticket office for Hamilton supporters, while Tuesday’s Co-operative Insurance Cup clash with Rangers at Ibrox kicks-off at 7.45pm.