Rice inists on sticking with attacking Accies

Brian Rice insists Hamilton will “go down swinging” if they have to after vowing to stick with his two-pronged attack.

The Accies boss has predominantly lined up with a front two this season and even started with both Bruce Anderson and Marios Ogkmpoe up top against Steven Gerrard’s rampant Rangers last Sunday.

The bold ploy very nearly paid off, with the Lanarkshire side dominating the unbeaten Premiership leaders before snatching a 1-1 draw with the last kick of the game.

However, with Accies rooted to the bottom of the table, some critics feel it would be better if Rice took a more safety-first approach.

But the Hamilton manager said: “We need to go down swinging.

That’s always been the approach since I came into the job. Have a go.

“I think I’ve maybe played only one game with one striker. The rest of the time it’s been two.

“And teams who play with two strikers need to have a go.

“My idea on football is that it’s easier to score with two strikers than it is with one.”

Rice was hoping to build on last week’s Gers point against Livingston, only to see Wednesday’s clash at the Tony Macaroni Arena called off due to snow.

But today’s Lanarkshire derby with Motherwell at Fir Park offers another chance to close the threepoint gap separating them from Ross County, especially as the Staggies’ Dingwall clash with Hibs was called off yesterday due to the big freeze.

Neil Lennon expects nothing less than a tough test when Celtic take on St Johnstone in Perth on Sunday.

Saints have only lost one game since the turn of the year – a 1-0 defeat to Scottish Premiership leaders Rangers at Ibrox – and won through to the Betfred Cup final with a 3-0 semi-final win over Hibernian at Hampden Park.

Callum Davidson’s side brought an end to cup final opponents Livingston’s 14game unbeaten run last weekend with a 2-1 victory in West Lothian.

St Johnstone also grabbed a valuable point in a 1-1 draw at Parkhead in December and it took late goals by Leigh Griffiths and Patryk Klimala to snatch a 2-0 win for the Hoops at Mcdiarmid Park in October.

Lennon took all of those facts into consideration when he surveyed the trip to Perth.

He is confident following Wednesday night’s convincing 4-0 win over St Mirren – the third victory in a row for the first time this year – which took them 18 points behind Rangers with a game in hand.

He said: “They are a difficult team to play and difficult team to beat.

“Obviously they are buoyed getting to the League Cup final which is fantastic for them.

“I thought they were great in the semi-final and they ended Livingston’s long run, away, which is no mean feat at the minute.

“So yeah, it’s a tough game but one we’re looking forward to now.

“A lot of the players were looking more like themselves on Wednesday.

“I was really pleased with the all-round team performance, we looked a very good side.”

Meanwhile David Turnbull is currrently the star turn at the Hoops – but he knows he has to keep his standards high amid keen competition.

The 21-year-old midfielder joined the Hoops from Motherwell on a four-year deal for a reported fee of around £3 million in August.

And in what so far has been a troubled season for Lennon’s side, Turnbull has emerged as a shining light.

Turnbull noted that fellow attacking midfielders Ryan Christie and Mohamed Elyounoussi started on the bench against the Buddies.

He said: “It’s great to play every game. I just need to keep up the good work to keep my place.

“There are great players competing for the same positions. There are boys back from injury so it’s about taking your chance.

The Hoops midfielder admitted he has been a long-time admirer of Australia international Tom Rogic who scored the opening goal with a terrific curling shot from just inside the Buddies’ box.

He said: “When I was up against Tom with Motherwell I always felt it was impossible to get the ball off him.

“He’s right up there with the best I’ve played with or against. We’ve been playing together recently and hopefully he can continue to show it.”

David Turnbull celebrates scoring against St Mirren.