IT’S JAMES
Striker says he’s returning a better player
James Keatings hopes to hit the ground running after signing for a second spell at Hamilton Accies.
The 26-year-old said Accies was his only choice after deciding to leave Dundee United, despite interest from other clubs.
Keatings is aiming for a fresh start and says the club are getting a better player than the younger man who left for Hearts in 2014.
He said: “I went back to Dundee United in pre-season and my mind was set on leaving. I thought it was the best for my future.
“I had a quick chat with the manager in the first week of pre-season.
“I told him my thoughts and my reasons why I wanted to be closer to home, and to give myself a fresh start.
“I found out that Hamilton were interested – and I had a few others interested – but this was the main focus, for me. I wanted to come back here, I know the club. I enjoyed my year here so it was a decision that I made early doors.
“Quite a lot has changed since I left. They’ve been in the top division since I left, they’ve improved on a lot of facilities and staff. A lot has changed and it has improved.”
Keatings left Hamilton for Hearts in 2014 and spells at Hibs and Dundee United followed. He hopes those experiences can help others.
He said: “Hearts came in for me and it was a massive opportunity for me, and then I moved on to Hibs, which was another huge club and one I couldn’t turn down.
“I’ve played in cup finals, semi-finals, won leagues, it has been a successful few years. I’ve learned a lot and hopefully I can show what I’ve learned.
“I was starting out last time I was here, I was a young boy trying to learn my trade and get my foot in the door.
“At Hearts and Hibs I was learning from experienced players, much better players than myself, and after seeing the things that they can do, I hope I can bring some of that back here and show what I’ve learned.
“That can hopefully help the younger lads here. There are a lot of young boys here, a lot of very good, gifted young boys. I trained with them for a few days when the boys were off and you could see they’re a talented bunch.”
Although he underwent a pre-season with United, Keatings says it might take him time to get involved in the first team.
He said: “I’ve trained most days but I’m a bit behind in fitness, which the manager knows, and I’m doing a bit extra. It’s going to take a couple of weeks because I need minutes on the park.
“You can run all day long, but when you get into games it’s a totally different fitness. It’s about getting minutes on the park and building that up. I hope to hit the ground running as soon as I can.
“It’s a fresh start, I’ve everything to look forward to and hopefully it’s a big season for the club and myself.”