CANNING HAPPY TO CASH IN ON CELTIC

HAMILTON ACCIES boss Martin Canning was just as relieved as Brendan Rodgers when the final whistle blew in the Turner Stadium on Tuesday evening. However, the joy he felt at seeing Celtic reach the group stage of the Champions League was less to do with raising the profile of the Scottish game and more about strengthening his own squad. Since right-back Ziggy Gordon left to join Partick Thistle during the summer, Canning has had to field Grant Gillespie and Darren Lyon out of position. Now the £250,000 windfall all Premiership clubs will receive from UEFA as a result of the Parkhead side’s progress will allow him to sign a specialist. ‘Yes, I watched the game,’ said Canning. ‘It wasn’t their best performance, but getting into the group stage was the most important thing. ‘From our point of view, it’s always good when our club is able to bring in some extra revenue that you weren’t expecting or budgeting for. ‘So for us to get some money for nothing is great. Whether or not that means another player for us, time will tell. ‘I wasn’t calling the chairman at ten o’clock on Tuesday night! The board have been excellent at backing me in terms of players I want to bring in. ‘We’re always trying to improve the squad and it isn’t easy. Even when we can match the money on offer from other teams, you still don’t always get what you’re after. ‘Hopefully, this money from UEFA makes things a bit easier for us. It won’t happen by the weekend but we are trying to bring in a right-back.’