WRAP UP SIX POINTS
Canning targeting festive double as derby day clash looms
Martin Canning wants to take six points from back-to-back games against Partick Thistle and Kilmarnock, to open up a gap between themselves and the bottom three.
With a derby at Motherwell looming on December 30, Canning hopes his side can open a gap on chasing teams.
Ahead of last night’s match between Celtic and Partick Thistle (Wednesday), Hamilton were six clear of the Jags, four ahead of 11th-placed Ross County and two better off than Dundee.
Accies travel to the Energy Check Stadium on Saturday and host Killie on Wednesday, with Canning targeting nothing less than two wins.
Canning said: “It’s two huge games, games that we have to look at and say that maximum points are important.
“If we can take maximum points you can really open that gap up, that has to be what the aim is, and we need to put full focus on picking up as many three points as we can over the next three games.”
Canning described Hamilton’s 3-2 win over Ross County as “huge”, with Dundee and Kilmarnock also winning, but says they’re only focused on themselves and trying to climb the Premiership table.
He said: “The most important thing is that we won. We spoke after the Hearts, St Johnstone and Celtic games about how well we performed and how we should have taken more from the games and were a bit unfortunate.
“The most important thing is that I’m standing here saying we’ve taken all three points, so that’s it – ultimately that’s all I’m bothered about, because it was a big one for us to go and win.
“It was important for us to look after ourselves and take care of the game that we’re involved in, and get three points. Thankfully we’ve done that.
“When they pulled it back to 2-2 I was thinking ‘here we go again’ because we haven’t had much fortune of late. I keep saying this league is so tight that it’s one thing either way that can win or lose you the game.
“It’s good character from the boys to twice get pegged back, but still have the hunger and desire to get the third and win the game.
“The boys deserve it because they’re such a good bunch to work with, they work so hard for each other, they compete as well as anybody. We need to make sure we continue to see the importance of three points and continue to win them.”
Hamilton face an anxious wait to see if defender Ioannis Skondras will be banned for more than his current twomatch suspension for his part in a melee inside stoppage time.
Canning said: “We’re going to lose Ioannis for a couple of games, which is a blow. It’s something I’ll speak to him about, he’s got to keep his composure a little bit better as well, and walk away from it at that stage. He’s a passionate wee guy, he wants to win.”