Source: Team_Talk
Accies expecting McArthur exit
Martin Canning admits Hamilton are still bracing themselves for James McArthur's departure this summer even though he has yet to be snapped up.[LNB] Speculation has long surrounded the future of the highly-rated midfielder, with Leeds United the most recent club to be linked with a player who has also reportedly caught the eye of West Brom, Wigan and Rangers.[LNB]Accies risk losing McArthur, 22, for nothing next summer if he does not seal a move elsewhere.[LNB]But Canning believes it is only a matter of time before he follows in the footsteps of former team-mate James McCarthy and take the next step in his career.[LNB]Canning said: "You've got to look back to last season, with Brian Easton and James McCarthy. Both of them were back for pre-season and both of them left.[LNB]"So I don't think it's any big surprise that he's not away yet and I don't think it means he won't go.[LNB]"That's just the way football is at the moment. The World Cup is on and things are a bit slower than they would normally be.[LNB]"I think most people are resigned to losing him.[LNB]"We would love him to stay but I think everybody accepts that he has done great for Hamilton and the time is right for him now to move on and test himself at a higher level."[LNB]Goalkeeper Tomas Cerny is another player who could be on clubs' wanted lists after being linked with Middlesbrough last season.[LNB]Canning added: "It would be a big loss to the team if we lost Thomas and James.[LNB]"The two boys have been excellent for us and if they get an opportunity to move up and better themselves, it's something they've got to take.[LNB]"From the club's point of view, it would be disappointing to lose two excellent players.[LNB]"It would be very difficult to replace them but we lost James McCarthy, who was an unbelievable talent, and we finished stronger than we did the season before when we had him.[LNB]"It's always possible to move on and do better but it's going to be difficult if we have to replace two guys of that quality."[LNB]Canning's own future, however, lies firmly with Hamilton after the 28-year-old defender signed a new two-year deal last week.[LNB]He said: "I was delighted to get it all sorted and taken care of.[LNB]"A two-year deal for me is a good bit of security and hopefully the club can progress over the next couple of years and I can play most games and do well."[LNB]He added: "We've always got to try and progress and do better than we did the season before, as we did last season.[LNB]"It's going to be difficult this season, having finished the season so strongly. But it's something we've got to try to achieve.[LNB]"All the boys are hungry and want to do better than they did before so we will be going all out to try to finish in the top six.[LNB]"It would be a huge achievement if we could so that and everybody will give it their best."[LNB]
