A big shout-out to all my friends at Hamilton

HAMILTON BOSS REPAYS FAITH SCOTT BURNS

BRIAN RICE has dedicated Accies’ shock win at Ibrox to everybody at Hamilton for standing by him in his hour of need.

The Lanarkshire side lifted themselves off the foot of the Premiership as David Moyo’s goal gave them only their second league win at Rangers in 94 years.

Rice believes his brave players deserve all the credit but was delighted to deliver such a big result because he knows how much everybody at the club has backed him after going public about his gambling addiction.

The Accies boss said: “From my own point of view, the directors, the players, everybody at the club has stood by me and given me tremendous support through the problems I was going through.

“They know I give everything I’ve got to Hamilton so I’m just delighted for everybody at the club that we can give them something back with such a terrific performance and result at Rangers.”

Rice knew his side had been written off when Hearts had beaten Hibs 24 hours earlier to leave Accies bottom of the table.

Nobody gave them a chance but Rice is well aware that is when his team are at their best.

He added: “It’s brilliant for the team. They’re a great bunch of lads and they showed their character at Ibrox.

“They could quite easily have caved in but they kept fighting and gave us everything.

“I love my players to bits and I really felt for them because they have been knocked from pillar to sport@dailyrecord.co.uk post with injuries and everything that has gone on. But Wednesday night was terrific – that was just pure teamwork.

“It doesn’t always happen but we always go out with the ambition to try to win every game regardless of who we’re up against.”

Rice’s squad has been decimated by injuries but he is adamant he is trying to build something for the long-term and not just to keep Hamilton in the top-flight for another season. He said: “This is about me trying to build a team for this club’s future.

“We’re trying to build something where we have good young kids coming through and good, experienced professionals around them.

“That is my aim and what I’m looking to build but trying to stay in the Premiership at the same time makes it even more difficult.

“However, it’s something I believe we can achieve.”