Imrie hails Hamilton talent
Hamilton's latest crop of exciting youngsters have been tipped to go just as far as former Accies graduates James McCarthy and James McArthur.
Frontman Dougie Imrie believes the likes of Grant Gillespie, Ali Crawford, Eamonn Brophy and Darren Lyon have the talent to one day win moves to the Barclays Premier League.
The former Clyde, Inverness and St Mirren forward is now in his second stint at New Douglas Park. His first spell coincided with the emergence of McArthur, who moved south to Wigan in 2010 a year after friend McCarthy had made the same switch.
Since then, Republic of Ireland international McCarthy has become one of the English top flight's most highly-rated young midfielders following a B#13million move to Everton, while McArthur has recently clinched his own B#7million transfer to Crystal Palace.
More recently, Dundee United have become Scotland's top exporters of talent after selling Ryan Gauld and Andy Robertson.
But Imrie is certain Hamilton will soon regain their title as the nation's top breeding ground.
He said: "I've seen the boy Gauld go to Sporting Lisbon for a lot of money, Andy Robertson to Hull as well, and there are a few others at United you keep hearing about too.
"But we have youngsters here who are just as good. Grant Gillespie, Ali Crawford, Eamonn Brophy, Darren Lyon - there is a conveyor belt coming through right now.
"You see them every week playing in the SPL right now and they are running riot.
"They are good enough to be compared to the McArthurs and McCarthys that this club has already produced.
"It is just a matter of time before other teams start sniffing about. They are not getting the praise I believe they should be right now but they just need to keep their feet on the ground and it will come.
"They are good enough to go on to bigger things but we are glad no one is picking up on them because we want to keep them as long as we can."
Midfielder Darian MacKinnon will return to the Accies squad after serving his four-match ban for elbowing Dundee United's Paul Paton last month.
The Scottish Premiership leaders should also have skipper Martin Canning available after shaking off the knee injury which caused him to miss four games - including the 1-0 win over Celtic a fortnight ago.
Meanwhile, Jon Routledge has stepped up his recovery from knee surgery with a run-out against Celtic in an Under-20s match on Tuesday but is not yet ready for a top-team return.
Meanwhile, Aberdeen midfielder Peter Pawlett is not surprised to see Hamilton top the table after doing his homework on the Accies.
Pawlett said: "It will be a very good test for us. They are flying high at the moment and deserve to be where they are in the league. We are looking forward to playing top-of-the-league opponents.
"I have watched them a few times and they play with great energy and great enthusiasm. They all work hard off the ball and make it difficult for you to play.
"So I am not surprised they are up there. They are a very good side and it will be a difficult game for us."
Another difficulty for the Dons will be the artificial surface at New Douglas Park.
Although Aberdeen won 2-0 on plastic in their first away game of the league campaign, against Kilmarnock, Pawlett confessed he did not find it a pleasant experience.
"We played Kilmarnock earlier in the season and I didn't particularly enjoy it but a lot of the teams have it now and we need to adapt to it," he said.
"It will be different but growing up as a youngster now you play on those types of pitches all the time.
"I think there will be a few stiff lads on Saturday morning but I think we'll be okay."
Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes returns from an ankle injury for the clash.
Defender Clark Robertson (thigh), skipper Russell Anderson and midfielder Ryan Jack (both knee) are all close to fitness following injuries.
None are expected to feature at New Douglas Park but all could return for the visit of Motherwell seven days later.
Source: PA
