Reid talks up next big star

Hamilton manager Billy Reid has tipped Jordan Kirkpatrick to be the next young star to emerge at the Scottish Premier League club. James McArthur became the latest product of the Accies' youth system to leave for pastures new in the summer when he made a big money move to Premier League side Wigan.The midfielder followed in the footsteps of James McCarthy and Brian Easton who had previously earned moves to Wigan and Burnley respectively.Hamilton manager Reid, who once again had to spend the summer refurbishing his squad, is looking for 18-year-old Kirkpatrick to come to the fore this season.Ahead of the trip to Aberdeen for the Clydesdale Bank opener, Reid said: "Jordan Kirkpatrick is one to keep your eye on."He can still play for the under-19s but he came in last season and played a few games and impressed."He has to get past Dougie Imrie and the Paixao twins but he has been sensational in pre-season so look out for him."Reid continued: "We've lost around half a team from last season."McArthur is away as is James Wesolowski and Trent McClenahan, and Easton is back at Burnley following his loan spell."It's a challenge getting more players in, it keeps you on your toes."But it wasn't a fluke that we finished last season unbeaten in 11 games or so on the bounce apart from a defeat to Rangers."If we had added one or two players to that same squad then we would have been looking for a top six spot this season."So that is a frustration but players move on to bigger things."Accies will travel to Pittodrie in confident mood after winning twice there last season but Reid will not take any succour from the Dons' dismal pre-season form which brought just two wins in eight friendlies.He said: "A team like Accies should always get a thrill going to play at Aberdeen."They are a massive, massive club and they are favourites to win, they are the home side."But Hamilton hadn't won up there in 72 years and we've won three times out of four in the last two seasons."However, I don't read anything into pre-season games, every manager will tell you that."By their own admission they had a disappointing time last season and they will be looking to kick-start this season with a win."But the spirit in our squad is good, we are fit and we've got to make sure we play our own game."

Source: Team_Talk