Rankin: We need to take our chances
Hamilton assistant John Rankin says his side are doing plenty of things right – but Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Raith Rovers was an example of missed chances.
David Moyo missed a big Accies chance towards the end of the first half in the Championship clash as they created the better opportunities on a blustery Kirkcaldy afternoon.
Goalkeeper Joe Hilton made a big stop at the start of the second half to preserve Hamilton’s clean sheet, before Mihai Popescu missed a glaring chance at the other end.
Accies were without head coach Stuart Taylor for the match, who was put into self-isolation before kick-off, with Rankin taking charge.
Taylor’s side were sixth in the Championship while Raith sat fourth, prior to Hamilton taking on league leaders Arbroath at Gayfield on Wednesday.
Their trip to Kirkcaldy came off a week of turmoil at Raith. After signing David Goodwillie from Clyde – who was ruled to have raped a woman in a civil court ruling in 2017 – fury ensued.
The club were condemned for their decision to sign him and for doubling down on their stance, before eventually announcing Goodwillie would not play for the club prior to this match.
Rankin said: “Considering the conditions, I thought it was a good game. I thought both teams tried to play. I am delighted with the clean sheet as we know Raith can score.
“The team worked really hard to make sure we didn’t concede a goal. They had spells, Raith, where they dominated but overall I don’t think our goalkeeper, Joe Hilton, had a save to make.
“When we look back on it, it’s probably two points we have let go as I thought we dominated parts of the game, especially the second half. Raith had a tough week with all the things that happened at the club so they were always going to come out the traps flying.”
Rankin says Hamilton’s chances created and expected goals stats suggest they should be much higher up the league.
He explained: “For the expected goals, we are near the top of the league for that, so that is through the roof in that regard.
“But the thing is we are getting into those areas and creating those opportunities. At some stage, we are going to have to take them.”