Rice plotting against Saints

Hamilton boss Brian Rice wants his side to enjoy the win over Hearts, and their Christmas, but he’s already plotting against St Johnstone in this afternoon’s clash.

Mickel Miller and Will Collar grabbed goals in a 2-1 win over Hearts on Saturday that took Accies off the foot of the table.

Accies go into the Boxing Day showdown at New Douglas Park a point behind Saints, but having played two more games, and Rice wants them to fire their way up the Premiership table.

He said:“we didn’t want to go into Christmas time being bottom of the table, I didn’t want the fans not enjoying their Christmas, so they can go away, enjoy themselves, look forward to Boxing Day and come and help us again, because we will certainly need to be ready for a tough game on Thursday.

“The derby on Sunday doesn’t matter at the minute, all that matters to me right now is Thursday. I told the players to enjoy their Saturday, but we don’t get time off at Christmas, it is a working day for us, and we get our break in the summer when we get three or four weeks.

“Derbies are always massive, but I want to go into the derby by taking something out of the game on Thursday. I never look too far ahead, and my mind is now set on St Johnstone.

“The players can enjoy that win, but I’m already ready to go for Thursday, and preparing.”

Rice was delighted with the Hearts win and said:“for them to get a thoroughly deserved victory, in my eyes, I’m absolutely delighted for everybody.”