Brian Rice says Jamie Hamilton has all the hallmarks of a certain ex-Scotland international as he hailed the teenager's "phenomenal" display against Rangers.
The 18-year-old, not for the first time this season, showed composure beyond his years as he helped Accies to a shock 1-1 draw with the Premiership leaders this afternoon.
He also showed another side to his game when he marauded forward in the second half, only to be cynically cut down by Filip Helander before he could get a shot away.
Rice didn't wish to name the international Hamilton reminds him of, but he waxed lyrical about his defender - who had a trial at Brighton last season - after watching him keep the Ibrox men at bay for much of the game.
Rice said: "I've been speaking about Jamie Hamilton since I came into the club and it's fallen on deaf ears.
"He's a phenomenal talent, absolutely phenomenal talent.
"I've worked with a lot of good kids in my time and Jamie Hamilton is right up there with the best.
"He learns every day, he's quiet, he just does what he needs to do, he listens, he takes it on board.
"He's playing there against top players and he doesn't look out of place.
"I thought he was outstanding.
"He's getting a lot of help from the experienced lads around about him.
"Brian Easton, Aaron Martin, Lee Hodson so he's learning in the training ground, but he's also learning in the matches with these lads."
He added: "I don't want to label anything. I could compare him to players I've played against. I could compare him to players I've watched down south.
"I've watched a lot of games down south and Jamie is as good a defender as I've ever seen.
"He reminds me of somebody and I don't want to say.
"He reminds me of a young Scottish internationalist when I played.
"But he'll mature and he'll get better and better."
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