The Guadeloupe striker today hailed Accies manager Billy Reid for extending his contract at New Douglas Park until the end of the season – and he has vowed to start the repayment process by helping to shoot down Dundee United tonight.

The 26-year-old has scored six goals in 14 games since arriving on loan from Dundee and has been a revelation leading the line for the Lanarkshire side.

Curier said: “I owe an awful lot to Billy, who had the belief to bring me to Hamilton and give me a chance at the top level.

“I have had a few clubs in my career and I know some people have said some bad things about me. But Billy took me as he found me and I am determined to repay him. The best way for a striker to repay a manager is to score goals.

“My aim is to be top scorer here at the end of the season. I feel the manager and his coaching staff have helped me improve because their belief in me has given me extra confidence. It means an awful lot to me to be valued like that as a human being.”

The powerful predator says Accies’ belief that a top-six finish can be achieved has been boosted by Sunday’s impressive showing in their 3-3 Active Nation Scottish Cup fourth- round draw with Rangers.

But the strike ace admits that taking care of business at home tonight will be vital to their hopes. He said: “United are one of the best teams in the country and that is why they are sitting in fourth place right now.

“We were unlucky not to take full points from them at Tanna-dice last time and we have only lost once at home in the league since the end of October – and that was to Celtic.

“What we have to do is maintain the level we performed at against Rangers. If we do that we are good enough to collect maximum points.”

Curier has also saluted the contribution of skipper Alex Neil, who will make his 150th start for Accies tonight.

The striker said: “Having come from the First Division I did not know that much about Alex and how important and influential he is to Hamilton, but it did not take me long to realise how much that is so true.

“In the midfield it is vital you keep the ball and Alex is great at that. He is always encouraging the other players and organising us. He is a real leader, so tonight it would be great if we could mark his 150th start with a win.

“Although our first target is to improve on the ninth-place finish of last season, we are just five points off Aberdeen in sixth place and have a game in hand. So, if we can win this game, we can really start looking up the table.”