Kilgallon: I’ve been pals with big Anton for years but I still want to help us Hammer the Buddies
MATT KILGALLON didn’t see Anton Ferdinand for seven years after they were Sunderland team-mates and admits it’s strange now to be on opposite sides in a Premiership relegation fight.
The defensive pair played BY GAVIN BERRY together at West Ham and later at the Stadium of Light but have both moved north of the border in the twilight of their careers.
Kilgallon was in a hotel for talks with Hamilton when he saw Ferdinand debut for St Mirren in their live TV clash with Celtic.
And they faced each other the following week with Kilgallon’s side strolling to a 3-0 victory at New Douglas Park to give the Accies stopper the bragging rights.
But the Buddies are on a high after last week’s victory over Hearts as they seek revenge for September’s defeat with a win that would lift them above Hamilton.
And Kilgallon said: “I know Anton well, he’s a good lad. We used to go out for food together at Sunderland. We won’t be too pally on Saturday but I might have a chat with him after.
“You see someone every day for such a long time and then you don’t see them for seven years and the next
thing you’re playing in the same country.
“I remember being in the hotel in Bothwell when I was signing and saw him playing against Celtic. I texted him after the game and then we played Saints a couple of weeks later.
“I’ve not met him since I’ve been up but I will do, probably through the week. He’s come up here to carry on his career, like we all want to do.
“We were pals off the park at Sunderland and I still keep in touch now.
“He came through at West Ham and made his own name, knocking on the door of an England call-up. He was doing it all himself and his brother Rio wasn’t really mentioned.
“Anton then picked up injuries at Sunderland and it didn’t really go as well as he thought, that’s when he got compared with people saying he could have been as good as his brother.
“When he was at West Ham in the Premier League he was brilliant.”
St Mirren defender Jack Baird is grateful to Ferdinand for the advice he has passed on – but now wants to keep him out of the team.
Baird returned to the side last weekend with Ferdinand injured and helped a youthful backline to a 2-0 win over Hearts.
He said: “Anton has been a massive help and is a great pro. But I’m hoping I can hold on to my place.
“I’d been struggling with injuries so was on the bench for a few weeks. I had to stay patient until last week to get back in.”