Brian: I’ll take it on the chin
Brian Rice insists he’ll keep taking the blows after struggling Hamilton were sucker- punched at Tannadice.
The Accies boss was adamant his grafters deserved more from a gruelling tussle on Tayside.
Ross Callachan’s header put Rice’s men on course for a first Premiership win in seven until Nicky Clark’s double stole the show with 10 minutes to play.
But the gaffer won’t stand for any stick aimed at his players despite being gutted by the late turnaround that made it seven league games without a win for Accies.
He said: “We undoubtedly deserved something.
“I asked them to go beyond where we have been this season and go a bit further and I don’t think anyone can question the commitment of the boys.
“I am so disappointed we didn’t take anything out of the game as we definitely deserved something.
“No one can accuse the boys of not fighting for the win. I know people will criticise me again, as I do when we don’t win.
“I get praise when we win so criticism is going to come my way. I don’t mind that as long as it doesn’t get personal. I will take any stick on the chin.
“We are doing our best and you saw a team fighting and scrapping for every ball, so you can’t ask for any more than that.”
Rice rallied behind a devastated Callachan after he blazed a late penalty over the bar to ensure his team- mates went back home empty-handed.
“He was down in the dressing room but I told him to get his head up,” the Hamilton boss said.
“Ross was brave enough to step up and take it. He scored a goal and had played so well in the match.
“We just have to get on with it. There is no blame attached to anyone.”