Rice hails his ‘phenomenal’ Accies’ side

Hamilton Accies manager Brian Rice hailed his players for their refusal to give up after going down to 10 men. Rice was thrilled by the effort they put in to snatch three points against the odds.

“I’ve had worse weeks,” he grinned. “It’s been fantastic, with two clean sheets – at Ibrox and then here. That’s a sign of a group of players working as a unit – it was a real team performance today.

“The conditions were absolutely horrendous and you probably don’t appreciate that sitting in the stand.

“I keep saying that the wind can ruin games and, even though we won, it ruined this one.

“But we were phenomenal. They kept digging in and they just go further and further and that’s testament to their spirit and their determination not to lose. It was magnificent.

“We’ve been battered by all manner of things right through this season but this week we’ve carried a wee bit of luck.

“However, I think the lads deserved it due to the effort they put in every single day.

“I keep telling them not to feel sorry for themselves, whether it’s about fouls, red cards or last- minute goals and that, if they keep working hard and training properly, it will turn.

“This week we’ve done all of those things and it’s been brilliant for us. I probably would have taken a point when Mickel Miller was sent off because four points from those two games would have been good, but six is a whole lot better.

“Blair Alston has a groin problem and Jamie Hamilton had been touch and go with swollen glands.

“We gave him a test before the game and he felt OK but I saw a few things 10- 15 minutes in which suggested he wasn’t right and he was brave enough to tell us he couldn’t carry on.”