Canning warns Gers link won’t faze Dons

MARTIN CANNING doesn’t believe speculation over the future of Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes will help his Hamilton side when the teams meet in Lanarkshire tomorrow.

Canning hasn’t been surprised to see the Pittodrie boss linked with the vacant manager’s position at Rangers, being a huge admirer of what McInnes has achieved in the north.

And it is exactly that professionalism he feels will ensure the visiting players to the Superseal Stadium on Saturday will be well up for the battle, no matter the rumours surrounding their boss.

“I don’t think the speculation about Derek will help us, he will be too professional to allow that to happen,” Canning said. “His full focus will be on Aberdeen.

“He knocked back a big job in the summer to stay in Aberdeen, so that shows you where his focus and commitment is at the minute.

“I can’t see him being sidetracked or not putting everything he has into this game. He’ll have them set up and performing the way they have been.

“I don’t think it will affect the players either. As a player, you just go and play the game and look forward to it.

“I know the respect for Derek from the players is high, so there won’t be any players going out and not doing what he has asked of them.”

For all McInnes’s success at Aberdeen, his record at Hamilton is as patchy as the artificial pitch at Accies’ stadium. Although they won there in the Betfred Cup earlier this season, two 1-0 defeats in South Lanarkshire last term highlight the problems the Dons have had at the venue.

“History will tell you they don’t enjoy coming here,” said Canning.

“But I think that Aberdeen are too good a team and too professional to let that affect them.”