Reid out to avoid becoming scalp

By John Barnes

Reid knows what it is like to be the newly promoted SPL side

Hamilton Accies manager Billy Reid is desperate not to become St Johnstone's first Scottish Premier League scalp.

Saints, who visit New Douglas Park on Saturday, are still looking for their first league win since being promoted.

"I've seen a few of their games and I feel they've been unlucky not to win one," Reid told BBC Scotland.

"They're scoring goals freely but they're leaking goals at the other end. We need to be positive and try to take the three points."

Accies know how important it is to accumulate points early in the campaign having done it last season following their promotion to the top flight.

Last term, Hamilton won their first two SPL fixtures and eventually finished in ninth position in the league table - well clear of the relegation spot.

"You come up after winning the First Division full of enthusiasm - then you quickly realise how difficult it is in the SPL to win games week in, week out, " admitted Reid.

"St Johnstone play with a freedom. They're very enthusiastic, have young legs all over the park so it'll be a difficult game for us."