Hamilton Academical 3 - 1 Dundee United

Hamilton v Dundee Utd: Preview

Updated: August 10, 2008, 5:11 PM UK

Hamilton manager Billy Reid is convinced his players' hunger to prove themselves in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League will make them competitive this season.

The Lanarkshire club will be reacquainted with top-flight football following a 19-year absence when they host Dundee United.

Reid will let loose on the SPL young talents such as 17-year-old James McCarthy and his midfield colleague James McArthur, 20, and is confident they will have the determination to complement their ability.

Hamilton will unfurl the Irn-Bru First Division title flag before their opening game at New Douglas Park, where the summer refurbishment programme has included a new grass pitch to replace their artificial surface.

And while most of his players are untried in the SPL, Reid is certain they have the ambition to prove they are the genuine article.

The Hamilton boss, whose team finished seven points above much-fancied Dundee last season, said: "We are going to attempt to carry that winning habit on.

"It's a different level of football and we will probably take a few hits on the way.

"But one thing is for sure, there will be no lack of trying. I have a hungry group of boys with a point to prove.''

Hamilton carried the winning habit into the summer, stealing the show at Hartlepool United's centenary tournament.

Accies beat Huddersfield and a Sunderland line-up including former SPL players Ross Wallace and Russell Anderson to clinch more silverware.

Their performances, including those of player of the tournament McCarthy, raised eyebrows in the north east of England.

But Reid said: "It didn't surprise me, I know what I have got at this football club.

"There is some exceptional talent at New Douglas Park.

"I can guarantee they will give their all to prove they are good enough to play in the Premier League.''

Reid continued to strengthen his squad last week by re-signing Brian Carrigan following a spell at Linlithgow Rose and bringing in Finnish winger Sebastian Sorsa from Leeds.

They join former Dunfermline goalkeeper Sean Murdoch, St Mirren winger Mark Corcoran, Huddersfield striker Lucas Akins and Derek Lyle, who signed a pre-contract deal while at title rivals Dundee.

They fit Reid's requirements of players aiming to prove themselves, and those who were at Hamilton at the start of last season have another marker to test themselves against.

Accies were beaten 3-1 by Dundee United in the CIS Cup at Tannadice last September and Reid is eager for them to make a better start tomorrow.

"I'm not sure if we got used to the standard - we got battered in the first half and we could maybe have been three or four down,'' Reid said.

"But after getting back in it at 2-1, we pinned them back for long spells.

"Chris Swailes missed a sitter and it could have been game on if that had gone in.''

Dundee United striker Warren Feeney will make his debut and insists life in the Bank of Scotland Premier League will be every bit as good as the Coca-Cola Championship.

The Northern Ireland international, who is on loan from Cardiff, is expected to start alongside fellow newboy Roy O'Donovan as Craig Levein's men get their campaign under way.

Feeney opted to join United after failing to make the breakthrough at Ninian Park, where manager Dave Jones brought in big-money signings Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, and hopes to get his career back on track north of the border.

The 27-year-old former Bournemouth and Stockport striker has heard people in England decry the standard of the Scottish game but insists the detractors are wrong.

He said: "Scottish football is a high standard, there's no question about that.

"Look at the Championship, there are loads of teams starting to look in the SPL and even the First Division for players.

"At Cardiff we have Gavin Rae, Stephen Thompson, Kevin McNaughton and they've just signed Ross McCormack as well.

"Burnley have signed a couple of boys from up here and there are plenty of other lads at good sides down in England.

"There was a time when folk would say, 'I don't fancy going to Scotland' but that's definitely not the case now - not for me anyway.

"You just need to look at the Scottish national team - 14th in the world - and the Old Firm doing well at the highest levels in Europe to see the game in this country is on the up.

"I've always watched Scottish football and think people have been harsh about the standard in previous years.

"The SPL has improved steadily and, for me, it's every bit as good as the Championship.''