Hamilton boss Billy Reid declared James McCarthy has "no weaknesses" after the youngster's double gave his side a crucial 2-1 Clydesdale Bank Premier League win over Kilmarnock.

McCarthy scored early in each half to give the New Douglas Park outfit their first home league win since January and move them up two places to eighth, still six points clear of rock-bottom Falkirk.

The Accies manager said: "We can all see that James McCarthy has flashes of a good player but he has no weaknesses - he's a mature young guy, deals with whatever's thrown in front of him and is exemplary off the park."

He added: "He's been running on empty in recent weeks and we tend to forget he's 18, but the breaks recently have helped him enormously and we've seen that in training.

"When he's fresh, he's a fantastic football player and has everything - vision, pace, he scores goals, links the play and works backwards as well, which is really important.

"Eyebrows were raised when he didn't sign for Celtic and Liverpool, but he isn't in a hurry to leave as he sees that the education he's getting at this club has served him well, and I think he's been proven right as he's matured as a young man and is enjoying his football here."

Reid also reserved praise for Trent McClenahan and James McArthur, who have been playing through the pain barrier, and for the contribution of striker Richard Offiong, who made his comeback from injury.

He added: "Richard Offiong coming back in was a big plus for us, and the standouts were James McArthur and Trent McClenahan; they need operations badly and are putting themselves through the mill for this football club.

"That means everything to me and I can't thank them enough.

"We aren't looking down, we're looking up and trying to pick up as many points as we can, and I thought we played some decent football."