A WINNING MENTALITY
Rice throws down gauntlet ahead of cup clash
Hamilton head coach Brian Rice has challenged his players to reach the Betfred Cup final and be part of something special.
Hamilton kick off their Group F campaign at home to Queen’s Park on Saturday, and Rice wants to win the section and advance in the competition.
It isn’t just prestige or even cash for the club – the gaffer simply wants to win as many games as he can.
Accies follow up Saturday’s game with a ‘visit’ to Clyde at Stenhousemuir’s Ochilview Stadium on Wednesday, and Rice wants progress.
He said: “I think we’re improving as each game goes on, and I don’t take any game lightly. Saturday’s game is one I want to win.
“I want to win the section, I want to win as many games as I possibly can, and to do that we need to keep progressing. This competition is massively important. Every game is massive for Hamilton, and it’s massive for me.
“We’re judged on every game we play and I’ve spoken about that to the players.
“I don’t take anything lightly – I don’t take training days lightly, I don’t take preseason friendlies lightly and I certainly won’t be taking the cup lightly.
“There is lots to play for. Once the beginning of December comes, when two teams are walking out at Hampden, everybody wants to be there and every player wants to be part of that day, and for us to be a part of that it starts on Saturday.”
Rice has brought in Markus Fjortoft, Brian Easton, Ciaran Mckenna, Blair Alston, Owain Fon-williams, Will Collar, Johnny Hunt and Dylan Forrest, with goalkeeper Kyle Gourlay likely to follow. But Rice says he’s still in the market for more and added: “I’m happy enough but I’m always looking to get better. I don’t want to stand still, I want every game to be competitive, I want people playing for their position, I want people challenging the players who are in that position, so it’s ongoing.
“As soon as I stand still everything falls down, so I’m always striving to get better, striving to get better myself. I have a long, long way to go – and I want to drag the players along with me.
“I brought boys in and they have all done very well. They’re finding their feet, it’s all new to them, the way we’re trying to play.
“Boys are chapping the door and saying ‘I’ve never played like this before’ and they need to learn quickly, but I’ve brought them in because they’re good players and they’re good characters.
“I have a lot of kids in there who need guidance and it can’t always just be from me.”