Hamilton Accies defender is looking to weigh in with goals in relegation plightandy mcg

Hamilton Accies star Dan O’Reilly says defenders need to help out more with goals, and hopes to add to the two he’s netted this season.

Accies head into a Championship clash with Dundee at Dens Park this afternoon, and O’Reilly would like nothing more than to hit the back of the net and help them emerge with a priceless win.

The Irish defender said: “It’s important for us to step up and score more goals.

“The main priority is to defend, but if you can add a couple of goals to your game you’re obviously going to contribute to the team.

“I’d like to get a couple more, so hopefully I can.”

The Taysiders hold the advantage this season, with a 3-0 Premier Sports Cup group stages win at Dens Park and a 2-0 triumph at New Douglas Park on October 1.

O’Reilly, 27, reckons there wasn’t much in that game, as Hamilton were chasing an equaliser to Lyall Cameron’s 29th-minute strike, only for Luke McCowan to net a second five minutes into stoppage time.

O'Reilly (right) says there wasn't much in the game the last time Hamilton hosted Dundee, but they still ended up losing 2-0 (SNS Group)

“We’ve played them twice, in two different circumstances,” he said.

“The first one was in the cup so it’s very hard to gauge, and it was very early in the season, whereas the last time I thought it was 2-0 but it wasn’t a 2-0 game.

“We were chasing it at the end when they got the goal, so it was quite close.

“They’re a good side. They got relegated last season but there wasn’t much in the two teams the last time, so that should give us confidence.

“Like any game in this league, you go into it thinking you could get a result.”

Hamilton pushed league leaders Ayr United close on Friday, only to lose 3-2, but O’Reilly says they can take positives from their performance.

He said: “I thought the team played really well. In terms of our own game and bringing our game onto the opposition, I think it was probably one of the better games this season.

O'Reilly says Hamilton can take positives from their performance in a 3-2 defeat at home to Ayr last Friday (SNS Group)

“If we can bring that onto Saturday I think we stand a good chance.

“It will be a tough game away to Dundee, but hopefully we can build on the positivity that we brought on Friday night.”

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