Hamilton Academical Football Club News

• Nickname:The Accies
• Founded:1874
• Manager:Billy Reid

• Ground:New Douglas Park
• Capacity:5,300

Neil slams McCarthy oversight

16 Oct 2008 - 13:07:39

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Hamilton Academical captain Alex Neil has hit out at Scotland failing to notice the talent of teenage team-mate James McCarthy in time to secure his services on the international stage.

McCarthy recently pledged his senior future to the Republic of Ireland, having featured for the Irish at several levels up to the Under-21s.

Neil told The Scotsman: "James shouldn't get any stick for the decision he's made to play for Ireland because I think he's done the honourable thing.

"Ireland showed great interest in him right from the start. He's only 17 and has been in their last few under-21 squads and has been capped at various levels by them.

"Our manager Billy Reid spoke to Scotland long before the interest from Ireland came to ask them to come and watch James, but they didn't follow it up.

"It's a big mistake to let someone of his quality slip through the net and I hope it doesn't happen again. He's the best player I've worked with or ever seen at his age."