The dust has finally settled from the January transfer window - and it’s another one where Hamilton have fallen short again after failing to strengthen in some key positions.
Daniel O’Reilly, Steve Lawson, Kai Kennedy, and Ellis Brown have all arrived at New Douglas Park and although these are relatively good signings for Accies, it’s not the much-needed centre-midfielder or centre-forward that everyone’s been crying out for.
In terms of outgoings, Ben Stirling has departed on loan to League Two side Edinburgh City, while Luke Matheson joined Scunthorpe United after being recalled by Wolverhampton.
Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Ayr United was further evidence that a new clinical striker was needed to support a squad that currently contains Andy Ryan and David Moyo, on eight and five goals respectively this season.
Accies should’ve been out of sight at half-time and were left to rue those guilt-edge chances as Sam Ashford came off the bench to snatch a point for the visitors.
Ronan Hughes simply hasn’t cut it in midfield this season, while Miko Virtanen has yet to prove he’s the “gem” that Dick Campbell said he was when he joined the club from Aberdeen. Lewis Spence and Josh Mullin remain on the side-lines, leaving the midfield with next to no experience.
Kerr McInroy was tremendous for Airdrieonians in League One while on loan from Celtic for the first half of the season and would’ve been a welcome addition – but deadline day became even more frustrating for Accies fans as he joined relegation rivals Ayr United for the rest of the season.
Another frustration comes in the form of Euan Henderson. He would’ve been a fantastic option up front if we had managed to get him in on loan from Hearts, and you feel Accies would have had an advantage with that as assistant boss John Rankin was his manager at Hearts U21’s.
He spent the first half of the season on loan at League 1 side Alloa, scoring 11 goals in 18 games in all competitions. The 21-year-old has been on the bench for Robbie Neilson’s side following his return so to see him today re-join Alloa in the league below Accies is hard to swallow.
Steve Lawson, last with Livingston, is a great signing for the club and it’ll be interesting to see where he’s deployed as we’ve not signed a new midfielder.
It does seem as if he’s been signed as a right-back to replace Luke Matheson, but David Martindale told Lanarkshire Live Sport that he believes he should be playing in midfield.
Daniel O’Reilly has been a tidy addition, while Ellis Brown was unfortunate not to score on his debut. He’s only 18-years-old and is most likely one for the future.
Kai Kennedy looks as if he'll be a shrewd piece of business after scoring on his first start for the club against Ayr United, and the talented 19-year-old looks set to star for Accies for the remainder of the season.
Dunfermline and Morton seem to have turned a corner over the last couple of weeks, therefore Hamilton need to be very careful that they don’t get embroiled in a relegation battle.
Accies' chief executive Colin McGowan promised the clubs’ fans that funds “would be available” and the club also agreed that a striker was an absolute priority, yet nothing has been achieved on that front.
The transfer window started so promisingly for the Accies faithful as O’Reilly joined the club 15 minutes after the window opened.
However, they’ve failed to strengthen in key areas and have let the fans down once again.
We must hope now that doesn't come back to bite us.
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