So it’s Saturday morning (well, afternoon, but I’ve just woke up and have a monstrous hangover) and time for our second pre-season match on our mini-tour of Scotland.
Today we play a Hamilton Academical side I know very little about. I actively try to avoid Scottish football, if you can call it football; and if the whole Rangers mess of recent months does result in the financial meltdown of the game above the border, you wouldn’t find me to be shedding even a drop of tear.
As I said in my last article, this match is still first and foremost a fitness exercise. However, and I’m certainly not advocating those idiots who moaned at Gartside, it would be nice to see a good result.
Vital Quotes:
Coyle told the official website: ‘Two years ago Hamilton were in the Scottish Premier League and competed very well in there. They will have a young vibrant team and I expect them to be a bit stronger than United.’ Can’t he just say a team’s a bit rubbish for once?
Hamilton Academical Team News:
Hamilton will certainly have some players on the field, I can guarantee you that. You’ll probably only see 45 minutes from them all, and never hear of them again. Let’s move on.
Player to watch: Alex Neil
The ex-Barnsley midfielder joined the club seven years ago and captained the side in their three year spell in the SPL. Nothing Andrews can’t deal with.
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
From what I hear we have a full squad, bar noteable exceptions, to field today.
Player to watch: Josh Vela
I really want to see young Josh get some more game time. Coyle rejected a million for him from the Scousers, so it looks like he’s got some potential. Or is a 15th of the player that is the mighty Joe Allen.
Match Facts & Stats
Do stats mean anything in a friendly so early into pre-season? Nope.
Match Prediction:
To appease the idiots, we’ll win 5-0.
Next Fixtures:
Falkirk on Wednesday night. Great, more Scotland.