Keatings finds his sweet spot
Journeyman James stars in Accies’ romp
THIS is what James Keatings is capable of when he is on his game.
Causing havoc from dead-ball situations, producing clinical finishes, making the difference when it matters.
It is, indeed, something of a travesty that the well-travelled 26-year-old has not quite managed to bring these weapons in his armoury to the top flight as yet.
Incredibly, the attacker’s exquisite strike here to complete victory after setting up Dougie Imrie and Ziggy Gordon from set-pieces for Hamilton’s first two goals — was his first-ever at this level.
A Scottish Cup winner with Hibs in 2016 and with stays at Hearts and Dundee United on his CV, he has had a number of injury problems to contend with throughout his career, dating all the way back to cruciate ligament damage sustained as an 18-year-old at his first club, Celtic. He has also been open about past struggles with depression, but, still at a good age, he has a great platform at Hamilton if he can just keep the engine running smoothly.
It was so disappointing to see him removed in 65 minutes and being helped off by the medical staff with a foot problem.
However, boss Martin Canning reports that he could still be ready for Wednesday’s visit to Dundee.
And he knows just how crucial Keatings’ role was in seeing off a St Mirren side that scored late in the first half from captain Stephen McGinn and had striker Simeon Jackson sent off for a second booking in the second period.
‘If you look at Keatsy and the quality he brought, that is the kind of special talent he can be if we can get him up and running,’ said Canning. ‘It is about getting him to that level and keeping him there.
‘He is up and about and walking about the changing room. I would hope he will be fine (for Dundee).’
There is no question Accies deserved to open up a five-point gap between themselves and St Mirren.
Saints boss Oran Kearney felt they could have gone down to 10 men when Ziggy Gordon, who was given a yellow card, pulled down Jackson as he ran through on goal at 2-1, but it did look like Matt Kilgallon was in a position to cover.
Right from the start, the visitors looked more dangerous and it was Keatings who helped break the deadlock. He delivered a super corner and Imrie peeled off his man to execute a glancing header that looped over Ethan Erhanon on the line and in at the far post.
Accies’ second was helped by some poor defending. Keatings took a free-kick wide right, this time, and did place it into a dangerous area. Saints failed to react, though, and Gordon nipped in between the defenders and goalkeeper Danny Rogers to poke the ball into the net.
The home side were certainly in danger of flatlining until McGinn delivered a lifeline in the most timely of fashions.
With the first half drawing to a close, a corner from Adam Hammill forced Accies’ Czech keeper Jan Mucha, barely tested on his debut until that stage, to punch the ball out to Erhanon. The young left-back nodded it back into the mix and McGinn produced a shot on the turn from 10 yards that found the net.
Saints opened the second 45 very much on top but Keatings kept them at arm’s length with that most exquisite of finishes 10 minutes in.
Aaron McGowan played a pass to him around 20 yards out and he produced a beautiful effort that curled into the top corner to Rogers’ right. A peach of a goal.
To make matters worse for the home side, Jackson, already in referee Kevin Clancy’s book, went in hard on Gordon on 68 minutes and offered little in the way of protest when sent packing.
A bad day at the office for Saints, but not one completely devoid of positives.
Accies may have won the battle, but this war to remain afloat in the choppy waters of the relegation zone still has quite some way to go.