Rankin and Mackinnon pen contract extensions
Formerhamiltonacciesand Aberdeenstarlewisferguson wontheprestigiousbulgarelli Number8awardthisweek, followinganoutstanding seasoninserieawithbologna.
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John Rankin says he is delighted to commit his future to Hamilton Accies after he and assistant manager Darian Mackinnon penned new deals at New Douglas Park.
As revealed by the online last week, the duo have signed contract extensions which will tie them to the club for at least the next three years. The League One outfit are set to make an official announcement on the news in the coming days.
Rankin took the reins in June 2022 after Stuart Taylor left the club and guided them to the SPFL Trust Trophy last season – the club’s first cup win in 30 years.
He was unable to keep them in the Championship last season after a play-off final defeat to Airdrie on penalties, but this week takes the team back into the play-offs looking for an immediate return to the second tier.
Rankin told the delighted to sign a new deal until 2027. assistsforbologna,beforea season-endinginjuryinapril, andreceivedhisawardon crutches.
Previouswinnersofthe Bulgarelliawardincludeandrea Pirloanddanielederossi.
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“The new board has got a vision of what they want to do and they see Daz and I as a big part of that. I’m happy to be here.
“There has been a lot of change behind the scenes in my time here and it is a place I enjoy working. Now it is a case of us making sure we get things right on the pitch. That is the biggest challenge for us now and it always is as a manager.
“I have said from day one that it’s all about making sure the players give you everything they’ve got. I can certainly say the players have worked their hardest every day this season and over the next few weeks we need to make sure that remains the case and we get where we want to be.”
Hamilton Accies owner Seref Zengin’s ultimate aim is to restore the club back to the top flight of Scottish football, and he believes the current management duo will deliver that target.
News of Rankin and Mackinnon’s new deals come after defender Fergus Owens and striker Kevin O’hara also penned extensions at the club.