Players have fight in them, believes Rice
Brian Rice insists he’s willing to take Hamilton Accies fans’ criticism on the chin after his side’s defeat at Dundee United.
But the Accies boss believes nobody can knock his players’ fighting spirit.
Hamilton took the lead at Tannadice with 25 minutes to go but conceded twice before goalscorer Ross Callaghan missed a late penalty.
Rice felt his side deserved something from the game – yet he knows that won’t placate his critics.
“No one can accuse the boys of not fighting for the win,” he said.
“I know people will criticise me again – as I do when we don’t win.
“I get praise when we win so criticism is going to come my way. I don’t mind that as long as it doesn’t get personal
“I will take any stick on the chin. We are doing our best and you saw a team fighting and scrapping for every ball, so you can’t ask for any more than that.
“We undoubtedly deserved something. I asked the players to go beyond where we have been this season and go a bit further and I don’t think anyone can question the commitment of the boys.
“I am so disappointed we didn’t take anything out of the game as I think we definitely deserved something from it.”
Callaghan’s back post header put Accies in front but he turned sinner at the death by missing a penalty that could have earned his side a point.
Rice admitted his disappointment, but he only had words of praise for his heartbroken midfielder.
“Ross was down in the dressing room but I told him to get his head up,” said the Accies manager.
“He was brave enough to step up and take it. He scored a goal and he had played so well in the match.
“He missed a penalty but at the end of the day we just have to get on with it. There is no blame attached to anyone.
“I think you have to be brave to step up and take a penalty in the first place. It is so disappointing as we deserved at least a point.”
Meanwhile, Brian Easton, who was substituted late on after a crunching challenge, will be assessed early next week.