Norwich City's bid to bring Alex Neil to the club moved a step closer on Thursday afternoon when Hamilton confirmed they had agreed a compensation package with the Canaries.

Hamilton held a press conference at New Douglas Park after Neil and his assistant Frankie McAvoy had earlier met Hamilton's playing squad for the final time ahead of completing a move south to become Neil Adams' successor at Carrow Road.

Neil refused to answer questions on the Canaries when pressed by the media but City will now look to clear the one remaining hurdle and finalise a deal with one of Scottish football's brightest managerial talents.

The 33-year-old is expected to return to Norfolk on Friday to agree personal terms after spending Wednesday in talks with David McNally and the club's football executive board, along with touring the training facilities at Colney and Carrow Road.

'I have spoken to Norwich, but there is still a few bits and bobs that have to be sorted out,' he said. 'I am going down there as the manager, if that happens. What happens next is I go down and sort stuff out. I will speak to them. It's not my place to comment on Norwich. I am not the Norwich manager, but they made an approach and I have spoken to them.'

Hamilton released a statement on their official site which read: 'The club can now confirm that agreement has been reached with Norwich City in connection with compensation for our player/manager Alex Neil. It is now a matter for Alex himself to confirm and agree with the Norfolk club.

'If indeed Alex goes, he departs with the very best wishes of everyone here, on and off the field, for his continued success.'

Neil is prepared to cut his ties after 20-months in charge of the Accies, who he led to promotion from the Scottish Championship last season before a superb start to the new campaign that left them in third ahead of the festive shutdown.

The Canaries' scouts had reportedly watched all of Hamilton's games this season with the likes of midfielder Ali Crawford and defender Stephen Hendrie touted with moves south.

Crawford was one of a number of Accies' players who confirmed to waiting media at New Douglas Park earlier on Thursday they expected Neil to leave the club.

'I've been here since he took over so he's been a massive influence to me but it's something we'll have to deal with,' he said.

Hamilton keeper Michael McGovern has tipped Neil to make his mark.

He told BBC Scotland: 'He's right up there with the best. He's sought-after but it's not surprising. He's got the lot. He's very clued in tactically and he's a very good man-manager.'

Academicals' hierarchy had originally given the 33-year-old permission to talk to Norwich on Tuesday night prior to heading to Norfolk for discussions with City's top brass.