McGovern Making Up For Lost Time

Photo by Jeff Holmes

Hamilton goalkeeper Michael McGovern has continued his breakthrough season by signing a one-year contract extension ahead of the William Hill Scottish Cup fourth-round tie against Partick Thistle. The 30-year-old has been a key part of Hamilton's success this season after finally making his top-flight debut following a summer move from Falkirk. The Northern Ireland international had spent much of his career in Scotland's top division with Celtic and Dundee United but failed to make a first-team breakthrough at either club. However, he is making up for lost time at New Douglas Park following spells with Ross County and Falkirk in the second tier. "The move has gone even better than I thought it would," said McGovern, who has signed up until the end of next term. "I feel my form is not too different from what it was the last two years at Falkirk, but obviously playing in the top league I get a bit more recognition and you are under a bit more scrutiny. "I had a couple of chances to move in the last few years and I felt I was ready to move up, but I didn't really feel I was going to get the chance for first-team football. "When I spoke to the manager and he said he was keen for me to be his number one, that made up my mind. "I loved my time at Falkirk and the people were really good to me and I was comfortable there, but I felt I had to challenge myself at the top level because I was turning 30 and I felt if I didn't take a chance to move up I could be pigeon-holed as being a First Division player. I felt I had to move sooner rather than later." Manager Alex Neil is now plotting a cup run to go with Hamilton's stunning start to the Scottish Premiership. "I was speaking to the guy that does our website the other day and he said 'we're expecting a cup run now'," Neil said. "It just shows you how expectations change. But that will always happen, if you do well, people expect you to continue to do well. "The cup gives the fans a bit of excitement and gets the players away from the league pressures as well, and let's people enjoy a real knockout competition. "League games can sometimes be a wee bit cagey - people don't want to give anything away - and sometimes a point is a good result. Whereas in a knockout competition, you just go for it."