CANNING KEEPS A LID ON IT WHILE ACCIES FANS LOOK ON BRIGHT SIDE
AS another stressful season reaches its conclusion, at least the good people of Hamilton can find the time to crack a joke. ‘Aye, as long as we don’t lose 13-0 at Motherwell, we’re safe,’ laughed one veteran Accies follower as he strolled out after another agonising defeat. They have reason to smile despite a familiar outcome here. Barring a miraculous goal swing on Saturday, Hamilton will be playing Premiership football for a fifth consecutive year. Sitting three points above 11thplaced Partick Thistle but with a vastly superior goal difference, Martin Canning’s men are all but safe despite this loss to St Johnstone. Certainly, they will travel to Fir Park this weekend for their final match feeling a little bit more relaxed than at the start of last night’s action. David McMillan’s penalty and a David Wotherspoon strike deflated Hamilton, who netted a late consolation through Dougie Imrie. The loss may not be disastrous, but Canning was in no mood afterwards to crack open the champagne at the end of an unstable season, which has included the club being defrauded out of almost £1million. ‘It’s mixed emotions,’ said Canning. ‘The amount of goals we’ve conceded this season has been unacceptable. We should never have been 2-0 down. That’s why we find ourselves in this position. ‘It’s bittersweet because, deep down, I’m happy that we can go and finish the job on Saturday.
‘It has been a difficult year, players have come and gone. The club have lost nearly £1million to fraud. But if we can stay in the league, it has been a good season and we need to build. ‘I’m not saying we’re safe because I will look silly on Saturday if I’m sitting in front of the media and we’re not safe. ‘We should be, but stranger things have happened.’ Canning was forced into a switch of goalkeepers, with Ryan Fulton replacing the injured Gary Woods, and Saints suffered a blow after just 14 minutes when on-loan Manchester United midfielder Matty Willock went off with a knock. Accies were left fuming when David Templeton played a through ball to Danny Redmond, who fell just inside the box under pressure from Saints skipper Joe Shaughnessy. The hosts screamed for a penalty but referee Kevin Clancy booked Redmond for diving. Templeton then came within inches of the opening goal on 31 minutes when he was brought down by Murray Davidson 25 yards out. The Hamilton forward curled the free-kick but Saints goalkeeper Zander Clark produced a terrific save. Redmond wasted a glorious chance five minutes later when through on goal but, with just Clark to beat, he fired his shot inches wide of the post. Saints had barely threatened, but striker George Williams’ close-range volley struck the right post five minutes before the break. Then, right on half-time, St Johnstone left wing-back Scott Tanser hit the opposite post when he met McMillan’s cross 20 yards from goal. News of Ross County and Thistle falling behind in their respective matches in the second half filtered through to Hamilton supporters, who roared on their team. But disaster struck on 65 minutes when Fulton brought down Williams in the box and Clancy pointed to the spot. McMillan capitalised by sending the keeper the wrong way. Tommy Wright’s men doubled their lead ten minutes from time when Wotherspoon fired into the far corner from 15 yards after a cutback from Stefan Scougall. However, Hamilton didn’t give up and were lifted with a response within two minutes as Imrie headed home at the back post. Saints boss Wright said: ‘I don’t believe there is ever a situation where a team wants to win more than us. The team are playing for their livelihoods.’