Good start vital after split
Louis Longridge says it’s important for Hamilton to get off to a good start in their remaining five games, and he just hopes he’s involved in them.
The midfielder is emerging from a nine-week injury layoff and hopes to get the nod from Martin Canning ahead of Saturday’s visit by Kilmarnock.
He said: “Throughout the season we’ve taken it game by game but, if you look at it, the last five games are like cup finals.
“We know every game is as vital as the others but, if we get off to a good start in the split, it can set us up for the rest the games.
“If we managed to pick up points in our next two games against Kilmarnock and Inverness we’ll be confident that we can keep pushing on, and hopefully that will keep us in the league.
“I hope to be involved in some way or another and the chances are it’s probably going to be as a substitute, because the team has been doing really well – they’ve had a good run.
“It’s whatever the gaffer thinks. There are other boys who have also been on the bench recently and they could come in to the frame.
“I’ll just try to impress of in training, work hard and, if it does come to it, and I’m the one selected, I’ll do my best to do a job for the team.
“I’ve been working really hard, I’ve got myself into the best shape I can be in, to prepare for the moment that the gaffer needs me.
“It’s up to him, at the end of the day, so I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing and I’ll see where it takes me. Hopefully I can contribute and help the team to another win, and keep this run going.”
Longridge admits his metatarsal injury has been frustrating, and hopes it’s now behind him.
He said: “It took nine weeks. It happened initially in a game and then I hadn’t known about it, had been training and playing for quite a lengthy period but I knew something was wrong, and when I went to the hospital they told me I needed an operation.
“That was disappointing, and it has been hard to watch the team at times. When we went through a sticky spell it wasn’t great because you’re watching and you can’t help the team or affect it in any way, but in the last couple of weeks it has been more interesting because we have been getting results.
“We’re positive, and hopefully we can get the three points.”