ACCIES KIDS TO CAP IT ALL
HAMILTON v DUNDEE Martin: It’s only right for repentant Accies sinner to be welcomed back
MARTIN CANNING brought hothead Georgios Sarris back to the fold because he believes Accies are a sanctuary for players who need a second chance.
The Greek defender was banished and told he would never play for the club again after he lost the plot at the end of a 1-0 defeat by Partick Thistle on December 23.
Now one month on the outcast is back training with the squad after repeated apologies and pleas for a chance to atone for his behaviour won over the manager.
Sarris, who was booked at the end of that stormy game at Firhill following an altercation with Miles Storey, is unlikely to start against Dundee today having only just rejoined the group.
But Canning said: “As a club we give people a second chance whether it’s somebody coming back from a bad injury like David Templeton or a player who has lost their way down south.
“So we thought it was right when one of our own guys is apologetic then he deserves a second chance.
“His agent has been on the phone plenty and Georgios has apologised continually, desperate for another opportunity.
“I saw reports there were bust-ups in the changing room after that game but there was nothing like that. His discipline on the park wasn’t befitting the club at the time given what we were going through on the back of the Hearts and Ross County games when there were highly publicised bust-ups.
“We’d warned the players that wasn’t acceptable then Georgios took it too far. The club reacted in a way to send a message out to everyone that wasn’t acceptable at this club. I’ve no issue if my players get involved in something, as long as we don’t start it.
“But he was actively trying to start something that day which is what disappointed everyone. He knows he has made a mistake. We think it’s right to give him a second opportunity based on the fact his conduct from then until now has been impeccable.”
While today’s clash may come too soon for Sarris a certain starter will be rookie Lewis Ferguson who has been identified as the successor to Rangers new boy Greg Docherty.
The rising star has been promoted to the first team with high hopes and the added burden of expectation due to the Ferguson footballing dynasty.
His dad is ex-Rangers midfielder Derek and his uncle is former Gers and Scotland captain Barry – but Canning won’t let the 18-year-old’s famous family heritage cast a shadow.
He added: “It’s always going to happen to Fergie that he’ll get the comparisons to his uncle and his dad and talk about him going to Rangers.
“Now Greg has gone there it will probably only intensify that talk. But he has to keep himself fully focused.
“I’ve spoken to him about that and we’ll have a wee chat again to remind him to forget that distraction and put himself first. But he’s such a good, down-to-earth kid, he’s the first one in here in the morning and he’s in there cleaning and sweeping up.
“It’s great now Greg moves on another guy comes out of the academy to replace him– that’s what should happen if we’re doing our job properly.”