Martin smarting as a bad day for Accies ends with cup exit

Posted Sunday, January 20, 2019 by PA

First-half strikes from Jason Kerr and Tony Watt steered St Johnstone to a comfortable William Hill Scottish Cup victory over Hamilton.

The Dons duo took advantage of goalkeeping errors from Scotland Under-21 international Ryan Fulton in a match overshadowed by the fall-out after vitriolic abuse was hurtled at under-fire Accies manager Martin Canning by a section of the Lanarkshire club’s 150-strong band of supporters.

Responding to reports that his distressed father had also been subject to flak and felt obliged to leave the stadium before half-time, Canning said: “That’s news to me, I haven’t spoken to him.

“I understand frustration, Fans want to win games. But if my dad has been abused I don’t accept that, if it gets personal.

“I can take it on the sidelines. It is part of my job but that is not acceptable in any way, shape or form.

“But there’s no chance of me walking away. I’m committed to this club and doing my job.

“I won’t be placed in a position where I make long-term decisions based on that.”

McDiarmid Park stewards moved in to separate squabbling Accies fans after a pie was hurled at Saints scorer Watt.

Canning said: “That’s not the image the club wants and I am guessing it is a small section. I ‘m not going to tar all Accies fans with the same brush because that’s not fair.

“But if security guards are having to separate them that’s not acceptable. We want our fans to get behind the club and the team.

“This is a small club. We have competed for five years in the Premiership and it is the most successful period in the club’s history since the war. We’ve never been in the league for that length of time.”

Perth manager Tommy Wright was delighted with his first game back after the winter break.

“It was the perfect start to score within the first minute. It settled everyone down. We got a bit loose in the second half but I was pleased enough.”

Wright praised scorer Watt for his poaching instincts, adding: “He was in the right place and follows it up when the keeper couldn’t hold onto it.

“His work-rate was evident for everyone to see and you can see how his match sharpness is coming back. Tony can be pleased with his performance.”