Hamilton midfielder Ziggy Gordon went form a real high to a real low on Saturday as he scored his first goal of the season 6 minutes after the break as the Championship leading Accies defeated Cowdenbeath 1-0 however Gordon’s game was to last only another 7 minutes.
Gordon was hit full in the face with the ball and walked off to be replaced by Tony Andreu, however he is looking to bounce back when his side face St. Johnstone in the Third Round of the Scottish League Cup at New Douglas Park tonight.
Accies Player/Manager Alex Neil will make the decision close to kick off over whether Gordon will play in the game against the Perth men that will bring back memories of another day of high emotion for Gordon.
The 20-year-old made his debut for Hamilton back in February 2011 against the Saints at McDairmid Park in a SPL game and despite being thrown in at the deep end, and a future team-mate scoring twice against his side in a 2-0 defeat, it is a game that Gordon remembers proudly.
Gordon said: “I actually remember every minute of that game fondly despite Hamilton losing 2-0. Stevie May scored both of St Johnstone’s goals and I also remember that he had big hair then as well and that his picture was on the front page of the match programme.”
“It was a really big day for me and thankfully I got an early touch in it to calm me down however we did lose a goal to Stevie really early on. I was only told I was playing at about 3 minutes to three as David Elebert, who was due to start, had been injured in the warm-up.”
“When he had been looked at and it was known that he was not going to play I was told that I was going on at right back by the manager Billy Reid. In a way it worked well for me as I had no chance to get nervous about making my debut.”
Gordon added: “I thought I had done okay in the game and I was told afterwards by the manager that he felt the same. So despite the result I remember the game fondly and I got another start 11 days later when we played Hearts at home.”
Despite being a teenager at the time Gordon was already a long serving Accie as he explained: “I was 17 then and that was me making my debut after 7 years at Hamilton. I went there when I was 10 and worked my way through their youth set up and I am still there now.”
A lot has happened since Gordon first played the Saints with Accies entering their third season of being in the second level of football following their relegation at the end of the attacking defender’s initial bow.
After two seasons of mid-table football with no real assault on a promotion place the initial stages of this campaign are indicating that Hamilton will be the side to beat this term.
Five wins and a draw in their first 6 games have Neil’s side at the top of the tree and a win over Kilmarnock in the last round of the Scottish League Cup also shows that St Johnstone will need to dig deep to win in Lanarkshire.
No-one in red and white colours has been taken aback by their success with Gordon saying: “We are really enjoying this season but no-one here is that’s surprised at how well we have done. We had a good pre-season and whilst some people may be raising eye brows over how well we have started we have not.”
“There is a great atmosphere at New Douglas Park and I put that down to the manager. He is great with the players in terms of giving them praise when they deserve it and confidence grows from there.”
Whilst Neil was only appointed to his post during the summer, after taking over the reins on an interim basis from long serving Reid when he left in April, he was a manager in the making long before according to Gordon.
“When he was a player he was like a manager anyway as he can be quite serious,” said last season’s Player of the Year at Hamilton before adding: “He was also a stand out as a player and a player you could always learn from. It is the same now that he is a boss.”
As for facing the might of May and St. Johnstone again Gordon said: “This game is a real test for ourselves but it gives us another opportunity to show how good we can be. I am sure that like the Kilmarnock game in the last round which we won 1-0 we will not be nervous. We know how good we are but we also know how hard we have to work hard to do anything.”
“I have known Stevie since we faced each other in youth leagues. When he came here I was thinking first of all that he was the guy that could have ruined my debut. I never really discussed it with him but I do know that he was pleased with that game as well.”
May was a great team-mate for Gordon last season as he explained: “Stevie did really well for us when he scored 26 goals which is a brilliant target. I would have loved to have him back playing with Hamilton this season however that was never going to happen after the season he had.”
“He was offered a new deal with St Johnstone and there was talk of him going to England which is no real surprise.”
Gordon added: “Hopefully he will not be bringing his shooting boots with him to this game. If he does and he tries anything fancy I may need to give him a wee bump if I am playing.”
“I do not want him getting the better of me in my second Hamilton and St Johnstone game.”
Craig Stewart
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