Resurgence shows we can beat the drop, insists Martin
SCOTT MARTIN feels Hamilton’s spirited secondhalf fightback against Rangers shows they can haul themselves away from the foot of the Premiership table and avoid relegation once again this season.
Brian Rice’s men were battered by the visitors in the opening 45 minutes of their league game at the Fountain of Youth Stadium on Saturday evening and conceded goals to Ianis Hagi and James Tavernier.
However, Martin and his team- mates performed far better after half- time and Ibrox goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin was forced to make good saves from a Marios Ogkmpoe shot and a Shaun Want header.
The midfielder, whose side is just one point ahead of bottom- placed Motherwell after the opening six games, is encouraged by the spirit they showed against the league leaders.
“In the first half, we maybe gave Rangers a bit too much respect,” he said. “Their full- backs were quite high and it almost forced us into a back six. But if we play the way we did in the second half, I think we’ll be fine.
“At half- time, the manager reminded us that everyone had a job and everyone had a man. We should have done that from the start, in terms of us out on the pitch. The change of shape helped us as well and credit to the manager. But we still didn’t get any points.
“We could have folded and given up, but I think it shows the character that we didn’t. We tried to press and work to the last minute. If Shaun Want’s header goes in, who knows was might have happened. We have to take the positives and build on that after the international break.”