Imrie warning to Accies over fallout from top-flight drop
HAMILTON Accies forward Dougie Imrie is desperate to avoid relegation for the fourth time in his career.
Imrie suffered that fate in his first stint at the Lanarkshire club in 2011, and also went down with Inverness Caley in 2009 and Morton in 2014.
Accies’ 4-0 victory over Dundee on Saturday spared them the prospect of automatic relegation from the Premiership but now Martin Canning’s side must defeat Dundee United over two legs this week if they are to keep their spot in the top division.
Imrie knows the possible consequences for everyone at the club if they don’t. He said: “We don’t want to be relegated, it’s horrible.
“It’s not just the players, there are repercussions for everyone. But we have given ourselves a great opportunity with winning that game on Saturday.
“We now go into the play-offs. We know it will be tough over two legs, but we are looking forward to it on the back of this performance and result.
“Tannadice is a great stadium and it always produces a great atmosphere. I’ve played there various times, so we are looking forward to Thursday and then getting them back to our place next Sunday.”
Imrie also felt the criticism of Canning and some of the team had been over the top, believing Hamilton have been “punching above their weight” during their three years in the Premiership.
He added: “Some of the stick that the manager and some of the players have been getting has been uncalled for. Fans are entitled to their opinion, but we are the smallest club in the league and probably have the smallest budget in the league, as well.
“For the last four years, we have been punching above our weight, but we know ourselves and players that this season overall hasn’t been good enough.
“We have got ourselves into good positions a lot of the time, only to lose silly goals and throw points away.
“As a group, we are disappointed because we know we should have been okay this season. But it’s important that we all really stick together now over the next week or so.”