Hamilton: The View From The Opposition

McAlister spent two season with Hamilton from 2010-2012 where he played over 50 times for them. He would then move to Dundee where he play 124 times in the Dark Blues, scoring 13 times. 

During his time at Dens, McAlister would be part of the Championship winning side of 2013-14 who incidentally, beat Hamilton to the title. Jim was ever-present the next season in the Premiership before leaving in the summer for his current club, Blackpool.

Read on to find out who has impressed McAlister from both sides and who he thinks will come out on top.

Jim, as an ex player for both Dundee and Hamilton, have you seen much of either team this year and what have you made of their performances?

I have seen both teams this season when they have been on the TV. Both teams on their day are a match for most in the league and it seems that consistency is the biggest problem for them both. I am a wee bit surprised where they both sit in the league. I thought they might be comfortably mid-table.

In fairness to both teams, this isn’t unfamiliar territory for either but did you think you would see both Hamilton and Dundee still trying to find the points to achieve safety for next season?

I surprised that both teams still require the points to get safe as they both have the players to be pushing to get into that top half of the league. 

Out of the times you have seen both clubs this term. Who has impressed you from Hamilton?

The times I have seen Accies, I would probably say the one that sticks out is the boy (David) Templeton. He has popped up with some important goals for them this season and I'm sure he will be very important to them in the remaining games.

And who has impressed you from Dundee’s starting XI?

In terms of Dundee the boy (Glen) Kamara looks a very first football player and seems to have a bit of everything to his game. I have to give my ex-team mate a mention as well, wee Gowser (Paul McGowan). You know what you get from Gowser and he's certainly a player you would like in the trenches with you.

It’s a huge match this Saturday. A defeat could be catastrophic for either. Hamilton are undefeated in their last four matches at Dens. Who can you see coming out on top in this tie?

I think it will be a right game as per usual on Sat. The teams are well matched. Hamilton seem to come into their own at this stage of the season and have a fantastic spirit and all fight for one another. Dundee maybe play a bit more football but that could go out the window with what's at stake.

I will go for a narrow Dundee win. 

A final thought, do you think either side will find themselves in the bottom two come the end of the season?

I don't see either of the two teams getting sucked into the bottom two places. I believe both squads have more about them than Thistle and County