Hamilton midfielder James McArthur admits it may be a blessing in disguise he failed to earn a big-money summer move like former team-mates James McCarthy and Brian Easton.

McCarthy has played just 16 minutes of Barclays Premier League football for Wigan while Easton has only featured for Burnley in the Carling Cup.

McArthur is tipped to follow his friends in leaving Accies for a big club but he confesses he would find it hard to be deprived of first-team football.

"I'm playing every week, which every player wants to do," the 22-year-old said.

"That's the main thing for me right now. If I went down south and got kind of lost and not played I would find it very, very hard, as they (Easton and McCarthy) are.

"I went down to see them at the weekend. They are finding it difficult not playing every week but at the same time they are getting money that they will be able to retire when their career is over. It's a Catch 22.

"But I've no doubt when they get their chance they will take it."

Nevertheless, the experience of his two friends will not stop McArthur seeking to better himself.

"Every player wants to play at the top level and I'm no different," he added.

"All I can do is just keep playing well, and if anything happens, it happens."

McArthur was speaking at Hampden to promote ESPN's coverage of his side's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash against Celtic on Sunday.

Hibernian forward Abdessalam Benjelloun claimed the Old Firm were not as formidable as they once were after his winner against Kilmarnock raised the prospect of Hibs going top of the SPL if they win at Rangers on Saturday.

But McArthur said: "I wouldn't say that, I would just say Celtic are going through a tough time like now.

"We've not been playing great ourselves, so you could look at it that way as well.

"They are a top-class side with top-class players and it makes it more dangerous that they have not won in a few games.

"We never got a result against Celtic last season, although we came close.

"We need to make sure we don't make mistakes because they will punish every one."