Canning tells Accies to forget about Ibrox

MARTIN CANNINg has warned his Hamilton squad they must avoid the same post-Ibrox hangover that afflicted weekend opponents Hibernian earlier this season.

Accies made history last Saturday as goals from David Templeton and Darren Lyon secured a first away league win over Rangers in 91 years.

While that result was greeted with understandable jubilation, Canning has not allowed any party spirit to linger as he prepares to welcome Neil Lennon’s men to the Superseal Stadium.

The Hamilton manager pointed out that Hibs won 3-2 at Ibrox back in August, only to be thumped 3-1 on their own turf by his side seven days later.

‘Saturday’s match against Hibs is such a big game for us now,’ said Canning (below). ‘If we want to try to build any momentum then you have to win games and we need to recover mentally from them as well.

‘I spoke to the players on Monday and I told them to take the positives out of the win over Rangers at Ibrox. However, I also told them to forget about it quickly.

‘We went to play Hibs at Easter Road earlier in the season. They were just off the back of beating Rangers at Ibrox and they felt that, in the week leading up to that match, they just weren’t firing the way they should have been.

‘I think they maybe thought: “We have just beat Rangers and we can just turn up and we’ll beat Hamilton.” We can’t have that same mindset when we play Hibs.

‘Hibs are a huge club and we have to make sure that we are fully focused again and ready to go. We have to give ourselves every opportunity to win the game.

‘It is difficult and if you have one or two players who think that way (in terms of dwelling on the Rangers win) then maybe they will snap out of it. But if you have 15 players who think like that then there is no chance you will spin out of it on Saturday.

‘You will be caught in the hangover from last Saturday’s result and will probably lose the game.

‘I have to make sure that does not happen. This is not about Hamilton’s quality or our shape or team selection. It is about our mentality and that is the bit we have got to get right.’

Canning believes his players have the correct focus to handle the situation, yet sees nothing wrong with reinforcing the message.

‘Think of the top teams that go out and win every week, especially Celtic,’ he added.

‘Their mentality is not “We are a good side”. Their mentality is that they have got to continually prove it week in, week out by winning matches.

‘As much as the Rangers result was huge for everybody connected with the club, we need to build on it.

‘It is all in our heads. Confidence should not be an issue. Belief in what you are doing should not be an issue. Belief in each other should not be an issue. It is now just your mentality.’

After a difficult autumn spell, Accies have taken eight points from their last four games to shift six points clear of bottom club Dundee.

‘I am not downplaying the Rangers result,’ insisted Canning. ‘I tried to make sure that myself and the players enjoyed the moment — and we did.

‘However, I can assure you that if I am sitting here in four weeks’ time and we have lost four in a row, people won’t be saying: “Remember the game you won at Ibrox.”

‘Questions would then be asked of me about ending the bad run. We have to continue to build on this if we can.’

There was further positive news for Hamilton yesterday as striker Rakish Bingham agreed a new contract until the summer of 2019.

‘He’s got so much more to give in terms of his talent,’ said Canning of the 24-year-old Londoner. ‘In training, he finishes with his right, his left, he’s sharp and quick. For him, it’s about learning the game because he’s got big scope for improvement. It’s great to

have him for another season.’