ST MIRREN fans never got to see the best of Dougie Imrie in black and white.
Now the Hamilton player has a chance to show them what they missed out on when Tommy Craig's side head to New Douglas Park, home of Imrie's current club.
Imrie had just one season in Paisley after ending a first spell with Hamilton in the summer of 2012. He spent 12 months with Danny Lennon's side, before moving to their Renfrewshire rivals Morton and has now ended up back where he started.
The forward has been one of the key men for Alex Neil's side this season and can't wait to return to action against some familiar faces today.
Imrie said: "Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my time there and they have great facilities. I was just disappointed that I didn't get enough game time. The training was fantastic but for me it was about getting games and I wasn't getting them there.
"That is the reason I left in the end and I just didn't want to be sitting about picking up a wage and not playing. And even though I didn't play in it, we managed to get to the League Cup final [and win it]. That has been the highlight of my career so far being involved in that squad - it is something I will always cherish.
"I hope they do pick up. But the main priority is for us to get back on the winning track."
While Imrie has helped Hamilton write their name in the history books this season, it has been a campaign to forget for his former club. Craig's outfit are second bottom of the Premiership standings and in desperate need of a win to kick-start their attempts to avoid a relegation play-off.
Imrie feels the Paisley squad are better than their performances, and points tally, indicate at this stage. He said: "I am surprised they have been struggling because they have got some very good players.
"They have had a few injuries to key players - Steven Thompson for instance. They have brought in quality players like Isaac Osbourne. They also have the likes of Kenny McLean and John McGinn, who has been one of the rising players over the last few years.
"Jim Goodwin has struggled as well being on the sidelines. They do have a good team with a lot of good young players who are starting to get their chance. Jason Naismith was called up to the Scotland under-21s, as has Sean Kelly."
Naismith hopes he can cap a week to remember by helping St Mirren end their poor run today. The defender is aware that his team have yet to keep a top-flight clean sheet. A 1-0 home defeat to Partick Thistle in their last match left them above Ross County only on goal difference.
"It was a great experience being away with Scotland's under-21s in Switzerland this week. It was a change of scenery. We were staying in the Alps which is a bit different from Paisley," said Naismith.
"It was brilliant to get the last 20 minutes of the game, especially as we fought back to get a 1-1 draw against the Swiss. It was good of Ricky Sbragia to give me a run-out. It was refreshing to sample a different style of play in a different country against a different type of player.
"I've taken a lift from it. It has boosted my confidence going into the game against Hamilton. I was sharing a room with Stephen Hendrie, who plays left back for Hamilton, so that makes it even more interesting this weekend. There were a few words exchanged in the hotel and the banter was flying, so that was good."
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