CANNING TIPPING LIVVY TO UPSET THE ODDS

HAMILTON manager Martin Canning reckons Livingston have the potential to be the new shock troops of the Premiership, a title which has belonged to the Lanarkshire club. Saturday’s opponents were promoted to the Scottish top flight via the play-offs, just as Hamilton were in 2014. Almost from that day to this, Accies have been the bookies’ favourite to be relegated each season — only to prove their doubters wrong. That all changed with the arrival of Livingston, who found themselves bottom of most prediction tables. But Canning said: ‘I’ve watched them a lot, including quite a bit towards the end of last season, and they are very good at what they do. ‘They are energetic, have a great enthusiasm and a will to win that’s obvious. I have huge respect for them and we know it’s going to be a difficult game where we have to more than match that desire. ‘If you don’t do that, it doesn’t matter what you do tactically, you’re going to lose the game.’ Livingston are on a high with back-to-back victories under new boss Gary Holt following the short-term drama of Kenny Miller as player-manager. Their 2-1 win over Hibernian last time out saw them climb to fourth in the table, while Canning’s side sit just three points off the bottom. The international break has allowed Hamilton’s four deadline-day signings to get up to speed with the rest of the squad and the manager believes he boasts a stronger unit ahead of Saturday. ‘I’m happy with the squad now,’ said Canning. ‘We managed to get the experience I was looking for on the last day. Canning went on a signing spree on the final day of the transfer window a fortnight ago, bringing James Keatings back to the club along with Scott Martin and Fredrik Brustad. Perhaps the biggest signing will prove to be experienced centre-back Matthew Kilgallon from Bradford City. The 34-year-old has made over 400 appearances in the English Premiership and Championship, and brings a physicality and dominance to a defence which shipped 68 goals last season. ‘All summer I was looking for a stereotypical dominant British centre-back with experience who can talk, organise and help the younger players as well,’ added Canning. ‘I’m probably the last guy of that type in that position here. We had to wait until the last minute, but Matt was the only one we really pursued.’