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Some fans may recall the success of Kevin Keegan and John Toshack, or and , while others may point to lesser-known partnerships at their clubs.

For example, as a schoolboy I was affiliated to and spent holidays at Dens Park where at that time Tommy Coyne and Keith Wright enjoyed a terrific relationship and were revered by Dundee supporters.

In using the word relationship you would assume that players who enjoy such a good understanding on the park would be good friends off the pitch.

In many cases they are able to transfer the trust and confidence in each other onto the pitch and then profit from the ability they have to think in a similar manner.

However, as always with football there are exceptions to the rule - some highly-successful partnerships are based solely on a football relationship..

Probably the most high-profile example would be that of and who linked up fantastically well at Manchester United, yet, by their own admission, were not the best of friends off the park.

Therefore, if there is no guaranteed formula for success when pairing players together in a team, how do managers unearth pairings such as Willie Miller and Alex McLeish?

Is it by luck or good judgement? Probably a bit of both as undoubtedly managers will watch players in games and training and believe they are suited to playing alongside each other.

However, until this partnership is tested in competitive fixtures then no-one knows how strong the chemistry will be!

As I have touched upon, partnerships are traditionally associated with strike-forces or central defenders, but even as a full-back you can develop a good understanding with the wide midfielder who plays in front of you.

Such a position is perhaps more susceptible to a change in personnel than some others.

It may be that moves to playing one man up front and the regularity in which the modern player changes clubs could signal the end of famous football partnerships.

Yet, as a South African golfer has just demonstrated, it is difficult to achieve anything on your own.

On the subject of relationships, being a new player at a new club means that pre-season is an important time for getting to know your team-mates, both in terms of personality and playing styles.

I have been fortunate in knowing most of the Hamilton squad and therefore I have felt very comfortable becoming part of their unit.

The real test for me begins now, however, as we begin to play friendly matches, and I look forward to achieving match-sharpness and proving myself worthy of a place in a side which was successful last season.

No matter your age or experience in the game you are presented with challenges on a frequent basis and I am looking forward to overcoming the latest of these!