Ex-Motherwell star says Hamilton Accies move was a 'no-brainer'

Barry Maguire knew he was at the right club when while making a cup of tea, he spotted a photo of himself while coming through Hamilton Accies’ academy.

Maguire, 26, has crossed the Clyde to join rivals Hamilton Accies on a two-year deal, having left Motherwell in the summer after nine years at Fir Park, admitting it was time to move on.

While most fans will associate Maguire with the Steelmen, he was a kid at Accies first, under George Cairns, who left the club this summer, and who he was disappointed to have missed.

Maguire is frustrated about how things ended up at Motherwell, having gone on loan to Dundee and Kidderminster Harriers in recent seasons.

But he’s keen to draw a line under that and challenge for the Championship title with Accies this season.

“It’s a funny one that, being back,” said Maguire. “There was only one youth coach before, George Cairns, and he had just left as I came in, so it would have been good to see him. He’s a big loss for the club as well.

“I went in to make a cup of tea, and my picture was on the wall, from back in the day. I thought it was quite strange to see, but it’s good to be back.”

Maguire says he was looking for a club after being told he would be leaving Motherwell, and liked what he heard from Accies boss John Rankin.

“It wasn’t a difficult decision to join Hamilton, after speaking to the manager,” he said.

“At first it was just a conversation, to come and speak to him, and when you’re in the position I was in of leaving Motherwell, you’re not in a position to not talk to anybody.

“I stayed true to myself, listened to what the gaffer had to say, really liked the way he spoke and his opinion on myself, so it was a bit of a no-brainer.

“Once I got into contract negotiations, and