A modern Hamilton hero in the eyes of many, few Accies fans would find a bad word to say about Darian MacKinnon- but the midfielder knows he’s picked the right time to jump ship.
MacKinnon has signed for Partick Thistle following the termination of his South Lanarkshire deal. He joins the Jags until the end of the season.
Darian MacKinnon brings grit to the Jags. (photo by Vagelis Georgariou/Action Plus via Getty Images)
After over 200 appearances for Hamilton, the midfielder’s name in their history books is secure. This season though, the Accies hero hasn’t got enough minutes for his liking.
It’s prompted him to make a move to Partick Thistle and the new Firhill recruit says it has been difficult to part ways with the team he wanted to end his career with.
“It’s been tough the last few months at Hamilton, not getting much of a sniff at the squad never mind a start,” said MacKinnon. “This is the best situation for both of us and I hope I can play as many games as possible.
No bad feelings. (photo by David Young/Action Plus via Getty Images)
“I had a few other things on the go but I had a funny feeling Thistle were going to come in for me, don’t ask me why! When I’ve came here in the past, it’s just felt right. I loved my time at Hamilton and would’ve liked to have retired there, but football isn’t always like that.
“I started every game at the start of the season and then Jamie Hamilton got sent off against Motherwell. I never played again after that, but I never battered down his (Brian Rice’s) door.
“You don’t fall out with people over the team they are picking. I enjoyed it at Hamilton but it’s difficult come a Saturday. Coaching the U16s kept me going during the dark times.”
McCall happy to get MacKinnon in
Whilst MacKinnon might not have been Rice’s cup of tea this term, his new boss Ian McCall is certainly glad to have him. He says that the veteran should bring defensive traits to the Firhill engine room.
McCall is pleased with the MacKinnon swoop. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
He said: “Darian hasn’t played a lot of games. Rice didn’t play him in the Reserves or the first-team. I spoke to Darian today, he’s fit but maybe lacks match fitness.
“But a great way to get fitness in your legs is playing against Celtic, you’re going to need to do a lot of running about. Darian covers defensive areas, he puts tackles in.
“He’s aggressive. I think it’s up to Daz now to prove he is capable of doing the business and maybe he’ll stay longer than the six-month contract that he’s on.”