Rankin wants Accies ready for play-offs
John Rankin is eager for Hamilton to beat ‘immaculate’ Falkirk on Saturday to continue their own form run, not to prove any kind of point.
And the New Douglas Park gaffer says the most important factor is for his players to ensure they’re ready for the Championship play-offs next month by continuing their own seven-game unbeaten run.
Accies are guaranteed a second-placed finish in League One after beating Annan 3-1 on Saturday, and they host a Falkirk side that have taken two wins and a draw from them this season.
John Mcglynn’s side are undefeated in all 32 league games, but Rankin insists there is no extra desire to end that record.
He said: “Falkirk have been immaculate, that’s the thing. They haven’t lost a game, they’ve come through every challenge that has been put in their way and been good with it.
“It’s a game, it’s another team in front of us, and we always set out to go and try and win it, so Saturday’s not going to be any different.
“Falkirk are a good side, we’ve said that all season, and we need to be determined to get three points.
“We’re on a good run at the moment and it’s not because of who we’re playing, but I want to continue the run, and we’re determined to do so.
“They’re always a difficult team to play against, but it’s a huge challenge for our players and one that we need to embrace and look forward to.”
Falkirk won 3-1 the last time they were in Hamilton, in a game that saw key players crocked.
Rankin said: “We had a difficult game for us the last time because we lost [goalkeeper] Ryan Fulton, [captain] Scott
Martin and Lee in the one game, and we were still competitive in that.
“We’ve drawn one and lost one away, so on Saturday we’re looking to go and get the win.
“But at the same time, our biggest thing now is making sure that we are in prime condition for the play-offs.
“We know we’re second, but we can’t dwell on that for the next three or four weeks.
“We’ve got to make sure that everybody’s up to speed and ready for the play-offs, for whoever that may be.
“We’re hopefully ready to kick on again and get back to playing better.”