DEMOLITION DERBY SPARK
HAMILTON RUN RIOT AT FIR PARK Accies ace hopes Motherwell mauling inspires another survival job
Jamie Hamilton says Accies must use the huge psychological boost of their derby demolition to ignite another Scottish Premiership survival bid.
The 18-year-old was delighted with the stunning 4-1 win against Motherwell at Fir Park and says adding that to the 1-1 draw at home to Rangers last weekend is huge for Brian Rice’s side.
Bruce Anderson, Ross Callachan, Marios Ogkmpoe and David Moyo were all on target as Accies ran riot at Fir Park and notched up a third win on the spin over their rivals.
Hamilton, who was a standout against Steven Gerrard’s side and backed that up with another solid display against the Steelmen, said: “It was brilliant for the boys to get the win, it was excellent winning 4-1, and it was deserved.
“We had worked hard during the week and showed that out there, so it was good and a great result.
“I’m not sure if that’s the best we’ve played this season.
“The first half was excellent, getting the 3-0 lead, you can’t ask for much more in a first half.
“It gives us hope. That’s two massive results for us and we’re climbing up the table now, so it’s brilliant for us getting those points.
“But we need to kick on now, keep gaining more confidence and getting results under our belt.
“That’s what we need to do and it’s what we want to do, so that was just a wee taster of getting the three points, and a point against Rangers last week.”
Hamilton has been the target of speculation linking him with a bigmoney move away from the club, having visited Brighton and Hove Albion for a training stint before the coronavirus crisis kicked in.
But he insists that sort of thing doesn’t bother him.
He said: “I don’t look too much into it, I just want to play my own game. I just keep doing what I’m doing and we’ll see what happens.
“It’s good to have things to read and see about you, but I’m just focused on Hamilton right now, and putting in the performances that I need to do.”
Meanwhile, boss Brian Rice has been impressed with Hamilton in his back three that also includes Aaron Martin and Brian Easton.
The trio were only put together for the first time on Boxing Day in a 3-0 defeat to Celtic, but Rice has been impressed with the strides they have all made this then.
He said: “Aaron Martin wasn’t in the building until the middle of October, and Brian Easton played in the 8-0 game at Rangers as his first game back after six months not even a bounce game.
“Jamie Hamilton played a couple of games, went away with Scotland and got Covid, came back and had shin splints, so I wasn’t able to put together that back three until the Celtic game here on Boxing Day.
“I was just looking at them and they have a good record of playing together. Earlier in the season I didn’t have the players available for selection as I have now, for different reasons.”
As the Advertiser went to press, Hamilton were set to face St Mirren in Paisley in a re-arranged game.
On Saturday they travel to the capital to face Hibernian, who they haven’t beaten in their last nine outings.