It's Bri time Accies' old masters had title plaudits

May 4 2008 By Euan Mclean

ROOKIE defender Brian Easton has notched another feather in the cap for Hamilton's successful youth policy by picking up the Irn-Bru Young Player of the Month award.

But he reckons it's high time Accies' older stars were given their share of the credit for the First Division title triumph. The 20-year-old left-back is just one of the burgeoning talents who was a mainstay for Billy Reid in this year's charge to promotion.

But while exciting kids James McCarthy and Scotland Under-21 star James McArthur have hogged the plaudits Easton says all the youngsters know they couldn't have done it without the guidance of experienced guys like Mark McLaughlin and Alex Neil.

Brian said: "You see good players such as McCarthy and McArthur come through, get international recognition and have big English clubs showing interest in paying a lot of money.

"But it doesn't frustrate me to see them getting more focus than the other young boys. I'm really happy for them.

"The players not getting enough recognition are the more experienced guys like Neil and McLaughlin because they have been fantastic this season.

"Mark helped me a lot in defence and Alex has been a rock at central midfield."

McCarthy has caught the eye of big English clubs and now Easton is not sure whether he'll be passing to his mate or trying to kick him if Liverpool's proposed friendly at New Douglas Park in August goes ahead.

But even if the club's prize asset leaves Easton is confident Accies will still handle the step up to top-flight football without too many additions.

He just needs to look back to three meetings with SPL opposition this season for evidence.

Easton said: "We take massive belief from the way we played against SPL teams.We beat Kilmarnock 2-0 in the League Cup then in the next round put up a good show at Dundee United.

"In the Scottish Cup we were unlucky to lose narrowly to Aberdeen because we played so well. That won't happen every week but shows there is not too much of a gap between the top First Division sides and some SPL teams.

"Our group is strong enough to stay up. There will be a few additions but the gaffer has said he will still give young players a chance."