QUIET BUT EFFECTIVE
Inverness’ silent killers ruin big day for Canning
HAMILTON Accies got all the publicity ahead of this fixture with the announcement of Martin Canning as their new manager and the fact they charged just a 10pence entry fee as a tribute to his predecessor Alex Neil and outgoing assistant boss Frankie McAvoy.
Neil wore the No 10 jersey and McAvoy had given a decade of service.
It was an outstanding success as a crowd of 5,089 attended, which included 571 Inverness Caley Thistle fans, a big improvement on earlier this month when less than 80 of them travelled for the game against Kilmarnock.
But the Highlanders have the headlines this morning.
They tend to go about their business quietly — too quietly, some would argue — but their supporters watched their side notch two goals in the second half. The first was an own goal from Grant Gillespie and followed up by Nick Ross. It was the fifth straight league win for John Hughes and his players and they are now just a point behind Aberdeen.
In contrast, Accies have lost their last four on the bounce. Canning — who selected himself in the starting line-up — is now well aware this management lark isn’t easy. But he has a good group of players and he will be confident the tide will turn.
After a fairly safe start from both sides, the first opportunity came in the 13th minute. Accies were presented with a free-kick 22 yards out after Gary Warren fouled Tony Andreu. The Caley Thistle defender was rightly booked for it.
Jesus Garcia Tena scored a cracker against Dundee United recently, from a similar range, but this time his effort was six yards over the crossbar.
Accies became more of a threat and enjoyed the better of possession in key areas. With their high-pressing game, they forced their opponents to make some panic passes and prevented the Highlanders from finding a steady rhythm.
Dougie Imrie played as the central striker and he was well supported by Andreu. The Frenchman played just in behind and clever movement and quick bursts caused problems.
But Inverness still retained that menacing look. Their players lurked with intent and lovely footwork from Billy McKay created the angle for him to slip in Greg Tansey. The midfielder let rip with a powerful shot from 15 yards and it forced Michael McGovern into an impressive save, low to his right.
With five minutes to go before the interval, Andreu tested Dean Brill in the Inverness goal with a dipping shot from 30 yards but the keeper moved quickly to avoid being lobbed.
But the game badly needed livening up for the fans inside the packed New Douglas Park.
In fact, the incident that captured the imagination the most was when Accies midfielder Darian MacKinnon squared-up to Ross Draper, who towered more than six inches above him. The pair clashed after a tackle and it threatened to turn tasty.
Later in the match, MacKinnon had a heated exchange with his team-mate, Imrie.
MacKinnon must learn to channel his energy in the right direction. A ticking time-bomb isn’t an asset.
McKay is normally lethal in front of goal and he was presented with an excellent chance in the 46th minute. But, from just eight yards out, he allowed McGovern to make a save, low to his right.
Just seven minutes later, the deadlock was broken. Graeme Shinnie was put through and his shot from 12 yards came back off the chest of keeper McGovern and into the path of Accies’ Gillespie. He couldn’t get out of the way and the ball ricocheted off him and into the empty net from seven yards out.
The visitors didn’t sit back and pressed again. Josh Meekings forced McGovern into a great save from his back-post header. McKay was then denied by yet another save from his Northern Ireland compatriot.
He was helpless in the 76th minute when Ross made it 2-0. A lovely move involving McKay and Draper resulted in Ross placing a lovely shot from 17 yards beyond the reach of McGovern.
It was another satisfactory afternoon for Hughes, the only downside was in the final minute when keeper Brill was stretchered off with a knee injury and he is a doubt for next weekend’s derby clash against Ross County.