Hamilton boss Billy Reid is resigned to losing highly-rated midfielder James McArthur, amid speculation that Birmingham City and Middlesbrough are both weighing up January moves.

The 22-year-old has blossomed into one of the finest talents in the SPL over the past 12 months since Accies won promotion to the top-flight in Scotland and had been tipped to move on in the summer.

Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers have been linked with the all-action midfielder, while former Aberdeen team-mates Alex McLeish and Gordon Strachan are now thought to be keen to lure him south of the border.

And Reid admits he is not surprised to see McArthur linked with a switch away from New Douglas Park and he expects him to join the likes of Brian Easton and James McCarthy at a bigger club sooner rather than later.

"He's always going to get that speculation and he realises that," Reid is quoted as saying on skysports.com. "He's been outstanding this season for us.

"He's now captain of the club with Alec Neil off, so I cannot speak highly enough of him.

"James will eventually leave Hamilton Accies, of that there's no doubt.

"He's a young man on a mission and he's been fantastic for me."