Canning says squad needs to be rotated

By Hamilton manager Martin Canning has defended his decision to rotate his squad for their midweek disappointment against Albion Rovers.

And Canning feels victory and a good performance against Stenhousemuir today should set his team up nicely for the Premiership campaign. Canning made nine changes for the Lanarkshire derby and Accies suffered a shoot-out defeat after drawing 4-4 at Cliftonhill. Rovers moved above Hamilton on goal difference at the top of Betfred Cup Group G but their one-goal advantage looks slender ahead of a trip to Dumfries to play Queen of the South, while Accies host Stenny.

Canning, whose side open their league campaign in Aberdeen, said: “We knew it was an opportunity to give players games. What you can’t do is play the same 11 in the four cup games and start your season with them. You have got to give your squad a game.

“Tuesday night was an opportunity to make changes. I didn’t think I was putting us in a position where we couldn’t win the game. I still believe the team I put out was more than good enough to go and win the game.

“It didn’t turn out that way so now we are in a position where, if we win Saturday, we should win the group and go through.

“So if we get through in the cup and start the league campaign well, that’s what it is all about. But we will need to do a lot better than Tuesday if we are to go up to Pittodrie and get a result.”