This year we need a flying start – Doc Accies want first-game victory after Ayr downfall
Greg Docherty says Hamilton Accies are desperate to get off to a winning start in their Betfred Cup opener at East Kilbride – to make up for losing at Ayr last season.
The midfielder hopes Hamilton can hit the ground running this season and reckons having a settled squad rather than a host of new faces can help them.
Docherty says the focus at the moment is getting past Kilby at the K-park on Saturday and progressing to the second round, because he reckons it could set them up for a positive season.
He said: “We didn’t start the season very well in the cup, so we’re looking to put that to bed because that hindered us a little bit. It would be good to get off to a positive start.
“We did end the group well so that was good, going into the Rangers game, but you always want to start well, build your confidence and have more belief in yourself, because you always wonder if you’re fully up to fitness in the first couple of games back, so it will be good to get off to a good start.
“The Aberdeen game is there at the start of the league season, but last season we lost our first game at Ayr 2-1 and that has been our full focus, that’s what we’ve been talking about. These games will be good for us to get ready for that game.
“It’s probably one of the toughest games of the season, away to Aberdeen. But we started against Rangers at Ibrox last season and drew 1-1, so there’s no reason why we can’t go and get a result.”
So far the only signing Accies have made is bringing Greek defender Giannis Skondras back to the club following a successful spell last season.
However, Docherty says patience will pay off and hopefully any other new boys will slot right into place.
“I think it’s really good that Giannis has signed again,” he said. “Everybody in the dressing room was delighted when we saw him coming back. He’s a good guy to have around, another guy who has a good spirit about him, so I think, given that we ended the season with pretty much the same squad, it would be good to start with that.
“I know there haven’t been a lot of signing or anything like that but the young boys coming through have been brilliant.
“We have a good group coming through, there were six or seven of them over with us in Malaga and everybody performed well.
“Everybody knows they’re going to be pushing for places and it’s going to be difficult to get into that starting X1.
“But that’s what you want. Touch wood, we’ve been OK with no injuries so far and you want competition for places.
“It’s healthy competition for us as well because people want each other to do well, which is good and always a bonus.
“We’re a tight-knit squad, so I have high hopes for the season.”
Everybody in the dressing room was delighted when we saw Giannis back