‘Business as usual’ for Docherty as Canning’s phone remains silent

Hamilton manager Martin Canning insists it is business as usual for Greg Docherty despite the persistent rumours linking him with Rangers.

The Accies midfielder was the subject of an unsuccessful £300,000 offer last week and there were reports on Monday claiming the Ibrox club had returned with an improved bid.

But Canning says he has had no contact from chairman Ronnie Macdonald informing him that negotiations are back on.

With his phone remaining silent, he now hopes to have Docherty – who missed Saturday’s defeat at Motherwell with an ankle knock – back in his side for tonight’s visit of Hearts.

He said: “Ronnie deals with all that so my involvement only comes when he calls to say, ‘We’ve accepted a bid from Rangers’.

“Until then it will be business as usual for Greg and me. Hopefully he’ll be involved tomorrow.”

Hamilton have one of Scotland’s most productive youth academies and Canning believes Docherty rates just as highly as their two most successful graduates, James Mccarthy and James Mcarthur.

“He’s as good as those two, particularly James Mcarthur,” said Canning – who is hoping to tie up a deal for Mikel Miller from English non-league side Carshalton Athletic this week. “He’s a similar type with his strength and power.”