It’sbacktoleaguebusiness-butnowwehaverealhope
Scott Martin dedicated Hamilton’s SPFL Trust Trophy win to daughter Lillie and his parents – for putting up with his moaning!
But he says it’s back to the struggles of Championship survival when the party stops.
Reghan Tumilty’s 30th-minute strike was enough to beat Raith Rovers and send the trophy to Hamilton for the first time in 30 years, despite defender Dan O’reilly’s controversial red card 10 minutes into the second half.
It was something of a backs-to-the-wall performance from Accies, who threw themselves at everything Raith threw at them to hold on to a precious win.
Delighted Martin says the medal round his neck means everything, and that it repays people’s faith in him.
He said: “It means a lot. My wee girl was in the crowd, my family were there, my mum and dad.
“It’s just that wee something just to repay everybody for all the patience they’ve had, and all the things they’ve done for me for my career; when I’m moaning when we get beat – just for everything.
“I dedicate that to my family and my wee girl.” Midfield general Martin admits Accies rode their luck at times, with goalkeeper Ryan Fulton producing a string of stunning saves to deny Raith Rovers.
Martin said: “We were up against it from Dan getting sent off, and that’s the type of player he is – he’s going to go for everything.
“Fair play to the boys; we stuck in, we knew it was going to be tough after that, but they were brilliant. We’re just really pleased with the result, and we’ll enjoy the night, because it might not come again.
“We had to work for it, and we rode our luck at times – big Fults was fantastic, as were Dylan Mcgowan and Brian Easton when he came on.
“For me it’s a 100 per cent record – one final played, one final won, so if it continues like that and I get maybe one more maybe at the end of my career I’ll be happy. “But I’m not even thinking about that, now.” Hamilton Accies are bottom of the Championship table, with Arbroath’s surprise win over leaders Queen’s Park on Friday night a set-back.
But Martin says the cup win at the Falkirk Stadium could be a catalyst for big things, starting at Dundee on Saturday.
He said: “This can be massive for our season. “Raith are one of the better teams in the league, they keep the ball really well, can cause problems and they have really good players to come off the bench.
“So if we can do that with 10 men, with a lead and defend for our lives, then we have a right good chance of staying in this league.
“When the party stops it’s back to business for the league.”