Hamilton keeper Joe Hilton has had to bide his time while on loan with the Championship side from Blackburn Rovers and he insists he is learning every day under Stuart Taylor despite his limited game time for the Accies.
The 21-year-old has been used in cup games so far, with Ryan Fulton given the nod in the league, and the young keeper thinks there is a massive difference to life in an academy to being a fully-fledged part of the first-team squad and competing for a place in the starting XI.
While he has to be patient as Taylor gets settled in as Accies manager, Hilton is fully supportive of rival Fulton as he builds up vital experience in the Championship.
“It’s the life of a keeper, there can only be one of you playing at a time,” said Hilton [Daily Record].
“Everyone is fighting for each other – pushing each other on – to see who plays. That’s how it is at the end of the day.
“For me, I am learning each day. You see the same things when you are in an academy. To come into a place where there are so many different things to see, it just helps you out.”
Hamilton spell can help Blackbun hopes
Hilton’s spell at Hamilton is his second loan stint in Scottish football after spending time with Ross County last season and the shot-stopper hopes it will help him push into the first-team picture at Ewood Park when he returns south.
“I like it here in Scotland,” added Hilton. “It’s nice and quiet. It’s quite peaceful compared to back home – there are a lot of goalkeepers at Blackburn! It’s quite difficult.
“I just have to do the best for myself. I believe in my ability and I need to use experiences like this to build myself up.
“When I do go back there, I will have a bit more backing behind me. I will have played more senior games, played with better players. It will stand me in good stead.
“If I was a central midfielder, I could rotate, but you need stability with the goalkeeper. I just need to work hard each day.”
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