NOW COME ROAR USONTOSAFETY

Rankin believes Hamilton support was key to glory... and he’s urging them to back survival bid

Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin has urged the 2000 fans who turned out for the SPFL Trust Trophy win to back their fight for survival in the Championship.

Accies fans packed in to the Falkirk Stadium on Sunday to see Rankin’s side beat Raith Rovers 1-0, despite being down to 10 men for 35 minutes, with Reghan Tumilty’s 30th-minute strike proving to be the winner.

But Rankin says his side are still facing a hefty fight to stay in the league as they approach the final straight, and reckons they can’t do it without the fans.

“It’s the first time Hamilton Accies have won this trophy in 30 years, it’s a great opportunity for us now to put momentum together and stay in the league – that’s the most important thing,” he said.

“But when you see over 2000 fans in red and white scarves and filling half the main stand and the wee bit behind the goal – if those numbers come out and support us in the way they did, when it is backs to the wall – because it is, just now – that’s massive for the players.

“The players are young, but they felt that energy they gave them in the last 20 minutes, and without them we probably wouldn’t have won the trophy.

“We need the supporters, but we need them to give us their backing, not criticise, because it’s easy to criticise.

“For the next nine cup finals we need their backing.”

Accies didn’t have problems to seek, with striker Benny Ashley-seal, winger Marley Redfern and defender Matty Shiels all injured during the first half, before Dan O’reilly was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Raith’s Sam Stanton.

“I’m delighted for the players, but that’s the most out of control I’ve ever felt,” said Rankin.

“You can plan for things in your head – when players are going to go on, what changes you’re going to make – but we never allowed for two subs in the first half, we certainly didn’t for another one to need to come off at half-time, and the sending off.

“That, for me, sums up the

Championship, and football in general. But it just shows the spirit of my players and I’m so proud of them.” Rankin said at the time he hadn’t seen a replay of the red card incident, but the club confirmed on Monday they have appealed the decision.

He said: “From what I can gather from those who saw the live stream, it’s not a red card. I’ve not seen it, so I can’t comment on it, but if it isn’t, then we will appeal it. I think that’s important.”

A club statement read: “The club have submitted an appeal against the red card for Dan O’reilly in yesterday’s [Sunday’s] Final. “There will be no comment until we hear the Judicial Panel fast track appeal verdict.”