Brown aims to put the boot in

Feb 3 2010 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

MOTHERWELL boss Craig Brown will put sentiment to one side on Saturday as he aims for derby glory.

Brown fondly recalled this week the days he used to clean the boots of Hamilton players when he was a youngster.

But now the 69-year-old is planning to boot into touch any hopes of an Accies win over the Steelmen at the weekend.

“I was a Hamilton supporter as a kid,” Brown said.

“My father used to say you had to support your home town team. I used to clean the boots at Hamilton when I was 12 as my father knew the manager at the time, Jackie Cox, so I have a great admiration for Hamilton Accies as a club.”

He continued: “Chairman Ronnie MacDonald has done very well wherever he has been in football – Maryhill Juniors, Clyde and now Hamilton. I have great admiration for him and his team.”

Both sides go into this weekend’s clash on the back of contrasting fortunes results wise. Since Brown and his assistant Archie Knox have taken charge at Fir Park, Motherwell have claimed ten points from a possible 12.

Hamilton have failed to record a league win since the turn of the year and have just one point from their last six league fixtures.

Despite the form guide, former Scotland boss Brown believes Hamilton pose a genuine threat to his side saying: “League positions go out the window.

“You saw that last week when Aberdeen beat Hearts 3-0 and then we beat Aberdeen 3-0. Outwith the top four anybody can beat anybody. Hamilton I think are in a false position.

“They have had a lot of fixtures but will be a wee bit more rested for this fixture. They are fighting for their lives and we are fighting to stay in the top six which we are desperate to do.”

Brown also believes Billy Reid has done an outstanding job since Accies returned to the top flight.

He said: “Billy I consider to be an outstanding tactician. Hamilton are one of the best organised teams in the league. He looks at the opposition and picks his team accordingly. Sometimes he puts three at the back, sometimes he will play a sweeper.”

He continued: “Their strength is in midfield where Neil and McArthur are first class.

“Simon Mensing has done a terrific job for them and is very good in the air and not a bad player on the deck either. The two Paixao brothers are also capable of getting goals.

“So we are playing a good team and maybe our biggest problem is making sure the boys don’t take their foot off the gas after the win against Aberdeen.”

Meetings between the two clubs since Hamilton returned to the SPL last year have been competitive affairs that have created a typically fiery atmosphere.

And Brown wants the Motherwell fans to be their 12th man on Saturday, adding: “The support has been terrific since I came here.

“I would like to compliment the fans that went to Kilmarnock, Falkirk and Aberdeen as they were all tremendous. We will be looking for the same kind of vocal support in the local derby.”

Meanwhile Brown is hoping 18-year-old Paul Slane has not made the same mistake as he did by joining an Old Firm club too early in his career.

As a teenager Brown joined Rangers but rarely figured in the first team. This week midfielder Slane left Motherwell to join Celtic.

Brown said: “We are disappointed and my feeling is the time to go to an Old Firm club is when you are established, when you are a player like Scott MacDonald.

“I was three years at Rangers and because Jim Baxter was playing in my position I never got a kick at the ball. I should have signed for Motherwell or Airdrie or one of the English teams when I was a boy. I couldn’t wait to get out on loan to Dundee and then I got a transfer.

“But a player has got to do what he thinks is best for himself and if Paul thinks that’s best for him, then fine.”