Lyon will take pride in staying up after Accies’ season of turbulence

Hamilton midfielder Darren Lyon believes avoiding relegation would be the best feeling yet after some turbulent times on and off the park.

Accies lost almost £1 million in a telephone fraud scam near the start of the campaign and have seen several experienced and long-serving players depart, including Grant Gillespie, Michael Devlin and Greg Docherty, while other key players such as Darian Mackinnon and Ali Crawford have had lengthy spells on the treatment table.

The Lanarkshire side are looking to secure a fifth consecutive campaign in the Ladbrokes Premiership but are firmly embroiled in a relegation battle after losing six games on the bounce.

But, as Accies look to extend their three-point lead over Ross County today, Lyon, pictured, is confident they have the know-how to steer themselves out of trouble again.

The 22-year-old has played in each of his club’s four successive seasons in the top flight and admits this one has thrown up its challenges.

“We believe we can stay up, but it would be something special because of everything that has gone on at the club this year,” he said.

“We’re a tight group. We have been in this sort of position a few times now and we know what it takes and we know what we need to do to get ourselves up the table rather than down the table. ““We just need to take that into the games and try and get as many points as we can in the next four games. “Everything comes into play – mentality, hard work.” Stuart Kettlewell remains focused on what Ross County have to do to secure their own safety. Although bottom of the table this morning, they could be out of the bottom three with a win at Hamilton.

Kettlewell and co-manager Steven Ferguson guided the club through a three-game unbeaten run to revive hopes of staying up, however they are still three points shy of Accies.

“We have a plan and we have a challenge ahead of us,” said Kettlewell.

“We know what it will take to get us out of this position. We are a win away from Hamilton, so that’s a positive spin that can be put on the situation.”