Source: FOOTYMAD
Reid Finds It Hard To Say Goodbye
It is not easy to say goodbye to somebody you have worked with and seen develop over the years. Hamilton boss Billy Reid said he found it tough to say goodbye to Wigan-bound James McArthur. Today McArthur will become a Wigan player after passing the usual medical checks and although the fee has not been announced, a figure of £400,000 is said not to be too far off the mark. Reid said that he found it difficult in his farewell meeting at New Douglas Park with McArthur, who played 190 times for the club he joined as a 15-year-old boy. He said: "I spoke to James face to face and it was very emotional for me. I'm delighted and gutted at the same time. I had told him a while ago that his time would come to play at that level and that time has come. He thanked me for everything that I had done for him and said that he wouldn't be where he was if it wasn't for me which is not true. He has played a huge part in the club's success and my success. He played around 200 games for us and he was ready to go. Moving from Hamilton to Wigan is huge progress, with all respect to us. He has been sensational for us and he will be sorely missed." McArthur will join his former team-mate James McCarthy, who moved to Wigan last July, while Reid also watched another of his young stars, defender Brian Easton, join Burnley last summer. While sorry to lose a player of such talent, the Accies boss is glad that months of speculation about McArthur's future are finally over. He said: "I was getting fed up talking about it. It had been ongoing and I'm surprised that it took so long because I knew the powers-that-be at Wigan were keen on him. The clubs have agreed terms, I'm not sure what they are but I'm sure James will pass his medical and be a Wigan player. That's the third player that we have sold to the Premier League and it is a testament to everyone at the club, not just me. We can take a lot of pride in that and it's great to see players improving. And James' move is thoroughly deserved. I am just delighted for the player." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba.net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net
