HAMILTON midfielder Dougie Imrie knows he's never had it so good ...

and confesses he shouldn't have left New Douglas Park two years ago in a move to St Mirren which he claims almost cost him his career.

Imrie racked up 70 appearances and 11 goals during his first spell in the red and white hoops before departing for Paisley in 2012.

It would turn out to be a year of frustration for the former Junior who struggled to get a prolonged run in the St Mirren starting XI.

That spell in black and white led to him joining Championship side Morton in a doomed campaign which saw Ton relegated in a dismal campaign that culminated in a 10-2 trouncing by, ironically, Accies.

And now Imrie, 31, is back in Hamilton colours again with the Lanarkshire club two points off the top of the SPFL Premiership, and the former Lanark United man told SportTimes he is loving his football more than ever.

"It's surreal for me. I probably should never have left the club," said the midfielder, who netted both of Morton's goals in that bizarre game at New Douglas Park back in May.

"I was playing some really good football at the time. I went away and didn't really have the best time at St Mirren, but I've come back and this season has been beyond expectation.

"When I came back I didn't know what to expect,especially after the first game when we lost 2-0 to Inverness. Since the second game of the season we've been outstanding.

"I'm back at a fitness level I was at three or four years ago and the manager is allowing me to play with a freedom. Sitting fourth in the table, two points off the top, it's magic."

The latest victory in their remarkable season came on Saturday in a 3-0 triumph over Imrie's former team St Mirren.

A Tony Andreu goal five minutes before the break was the only highlight from a tousy first half, but in the second period the home side found their feet with Mickael Antoine- Curier and Ali Crawford adding further scores to heap more misery on the Buddies.

It was a first win in a month for Hamilton which addressed a blip in form which threatened to undo all their good work at the start of the campaign.

And while Imrie was obviously delighted with the three points, he couldn't help but feel for his old club as they remain rooted with Ross County at the foot of the table.

He said: "It was imperative that we won on Saturday and I'm thrilled we got back on track.

"This week is a cup game and we wanted to make sure we finished league duty this month with a win to push away teams that were getting closer to us. First half was quite eachy peachy but when we got the goal you saw St Mirren deflate."

Imrie added: "Obviously I feel sorry for St Mirren. Tommy Craig was a coach when I was there and he was a great guy.

"I feel for him. He's not been able to get his full squad out this season at all, he's missing key players that are leaders on the pitch.

"It has meant he's had to play kids who have only played one or two games, and you can't do that at this level.

"I'm sure when they get those guys back it will make a difference."