Midfielder Jim McAlister knows what it is like in the Irn-Bru First Division and he admits he is not looking forward heading down there again after leaving it only last year. The former Morton player moved to Hamilton last summer but it looks as if he will be making a quick return to the SFL. There are only four games left for Billy Reid's side to make up the nine points between them and second bottom St Mirren with four games remaining. The sides meet on Monday where anything less than a win will seal Accies' First Division fate. McAlister, who has another year left on his contract at New Douglas Park, said that he is dreading the impending drop.
He said: "I am not looking forward to the First Division because I have just come from there. I have enjoyed playing in the SPL, it has been a great experience. We were looking forward to building on what the club had done the previous season but unfortunately this season hasn't worked out according to plan. However, that's football and sometimes that happens. Next season could be a reality check and we will have to work even harder to get back there and make sure we will. That's a personal goal because no-one wants to go backwards in their career. As a player you should be motivated for every game but next season, if we are not going to places like Ibrox and Parkhead, you can use that as a motivation to get there the following season. But sometimes you have to take a step back to go forward again. And if the club went down we would be very confident of coming straight up again."
McAlister does not want to see the Buddies celebrate their survival in front of their own fans. He is determined not to slip up and suffer Saints' celebrations as he heads for the dressing room. He said: "There is no point in beating about the bush, even if we do win on Monday, it will be incredibly hard. We still have to win the remainder of the games and St Mirren are going to have to lose theirs but you never say never. We will take it one day at a time and if we win on Monday you never know what might happen. They know that if they get the result they are safe. We don't want to see them celebrating and maybe we can use that as motivation."