“Unfortunately, we didn’t start off well, but we can’t look too much into it either—this is just the beginning of the season,” Maguire stated.
“It leaves a bad taste in the mouth while we’re learning to gel together, but we just need to learn from that.”
When Barry Maguire noticed a picture of himself passing through Hamilton Accies’ academy while brewing tea, he knew he was at the right club.
After leaving Motherwell in the summer after nine years at Fir Park, 26-year-old Maguire crossed the Clyde to sign a two-year contract with rival Hamilton Accies, acknowledging it was time to move on.
When Barry Maguire noticed a picture of himself passing through Hamilton Accies’ academy while brewing tea, he knew he was at the right club.
After leaving Motherwell in the summer after nine years at Fir Park, 26-year-old Maguire crossed the Clyde to sign a two-year contract with rival Hamilton Accies, acknowledging it was time to move on.
He is eager to move past that, though, and contend for the championship title with Accies this coming season.
“That one about coming back is funny,” Maguire remarked. It would have been beneficial to see George Cairns, the previous youth coach, who had just left as I was entering. He’s also a significant loss to the team. When I went in to get a cup of tea, my old photo was hanging on the wall. Although I found what I was seeing to be pretty strange, it’s nice to be back.
After learning that he would be leaving Motherwell, Maguire says he was searching for a club and was pleased with what Accies manager John Rankin had to say.
“After consulting with the manager, the decision to join Hamilton wasn’t too tough,” he remarked.
At first, it was just a conversation to come talk to him, but when you’re in my situation—having to leave Motherwell—you can’t afford to be socially isolated.
It was somewhat obvious because I stayed true to who I am, paid attention to what the gaffer had to say, and appreciated both his style of speaking and his assessment of me.
“After engaging in contract negotiations and getting to know many of the boys, I wouldn’t say it was a difficult choice.
It was difficult leaving Motherwell. The way it ended was also bittersweet. I won’t get into too much detail, but given everything I did for the club, I was a little let down by the way it ended. Football is not the same after things happen and change. In the end, it was still difficult, but it was a mutual decision, and I felt that it was time to move on given where I believed my career was at.
“I’m glad I spent time there. I owe a lot to them because I grew up there and, cliché as it may sound, from the time I was 17 until the time I left at 26, I literally went from a boy to a man.
“I loved every second of it, and I got a lot of experience and a lot on my CV because of them.”
Maguire says the goals are straightforward and is excited to take on Hamilton in the Championship.
According to Maguire, “both personally and for the club, it’s a big season.” Every week, like every other club in the Championship, we’re going to work hard to advance as far as we can and, in the end, fight for promotion.
As we move up from League One, we must continue to pursue a winning mindset and win as many games as we can.
“I believe that everyone in the league is aware of the intense competition that the Championship has exhibited over the past few years.”
“Anybody can defeat anybody, but this season is all we’re aiming for.”
In Hamilton’s Premier Sports Cup Group H opener against Stirling Albion, which resulted in a 0-0 draw with the League Two team earning an extra point through a 4-2 penalty shootout victory, Maguire made his competitive debut.
This means that Accies will have a difficult task ahead of them. They will have to travel to Stranraer on Saturday, Premiership Ross County on Tuesday, and Raith Rovers on July 27 to round out the group.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t start off well, but we can’t look too much into it either—this is just the beginning of the season,” Maguire stated.
“It leaves a bad taste in the mouth while we’re learning to gel together, but we just need to learn from that.”
About The Author
