Hamilton Accies 'coaching role' planned as defender eyes extended stay

Dylan McGowan last week returned to Hamilton Accies on a two-year deal, and is looking to extend that stay after taking his first steps in coaching.

The 32-year-old Australian says how much John Rankin wanted him back played a key role in his decision to come back to New Douglas Park.

But a discussion with Academy chief George Cairns put the lid on the deal, ahead of Saturday’s 3-1 SPFL Trust Trophy third round win in Coleraine, in which McGowan made his second debut.

The club selling youngsters Ryan One to Sheffield United, Cormac Daly to Nottingham Forest, Gabriel Forsyth to Norwich City and Josh McDonald to Leeds proved to McGowan that they’re doing something right.

“It’s a two-year deal, it’s a bit of stability, and I expressed to the club that I want to start coaching and give back a little bit to the academy,” said the defender.

“I’m looking to hopefully get the club promoted, first and foremost, and then progress from there.

“I wouldn’t mind being at Hamilton for a long time and starting to progress through the coaching ranks at the academy and stuff as well.

“The club gave me that little bit of security, and hopefully I can repay their faith.

“Coaching is important to me, it’s what I want to do after football.

“Having spoken with George Cairns at the academy and seen what we’re turning out as a club – countless amount of good young players at the moment – I can hopefully be involved in that, and that, going forward, was another aspect of me signing.”

McGowan did pre-season at Accies and although a deal couldn’t be struck and he initially left, the defender said it wasn’t a difficult decision when the League One club came back in for him.

“I know the club from last season, more importantly the coaching staff and