Accies boss happy with Queens win
QUEEN OF THE SOUTH ........................ 0 HAMILTON ACADEMICAL ................... 2
Hamilton boss John Rankin praised goalscorers Lewis Smith and Kevin O’hara as they bagged three points from a tricky clash with Queen of the South.
Rankin was wary of the trip to Palmerston, and it took until the 57th minute for Smith to break the deadlock, followed by O’hara, who bagged his 13th goal of the season nine minutes later.
The Accies gaffer says all they can do is try to keep pressure on leaders Falkirk, who have an eight-point advantage.
“It was a well-fought three points,” said Rankin.
“I always think Queen of the South is one of the toughest places to go to, it’s an intimidating ground with lots of history.
“Kevin gets the second one on Saturday, and it gives the team that bit of a cushion, because at 1-0 we’ve been there a few times this season and it’s not a big enough lead.
“I have to say it was a well-worked second goal and when he gets that, it gives us that wee bit more breathing space.
“Kev is vital to what we’re trying to do, we said that in the early part of the season, and the way he plays and the way he is, he probably puts too much pressure on himself to score goals.
“When you think about how much he brings to the team, in terms of his work ethic and his trigger to go and press, he becomes completely a completely different player, because he knows he has a value to himself other than just goals.
“Smithy got the first goal, he was in the right place at the right time and it was a good ball in from the side.
“We had bodies in the box, the ball falls, and Smithy’s composed enough to put it in the goal.
“I’m delighted for him. Smithy was patient in the first part of the season, but has come into the team, done really well, and I’m pleased for him.
“He had to come off because he got battered into the advertising boards and had a sore neck, back, head and foot, so he needs time to recover and adjust to that impact injury.”
Rankin added: “It’s good to get the three points. This was a really tricky game, Queen of the South are on good form, and Marvin has them organised and disciplined.
“It gives us another building block and it’s a case of keep winning as many games as we can.”