Boss Canning hails Hamilton response

Posted Sunday, September 23, 2018 by PA

Martin Canning challenged his players to give him a performance he could enjoy – and was delighted to see them deliver in a thumping win over St Mirren.

A goal from Frederik Brustad and Mikel Miller’s penalty in the first half had Accies cruising before Miller sealed a 3-0 victory with a stunning second-half effort.

Canning, whose side had lost three on the bounce heading into the game, said: “It was an enjoyable game and I thought the boys were excellent.

“I said to the boys after last week [a 1-0 loss at Livingston] that I didn’t enjoy the game – and I wanted them to come and enjoy themselves.

“I told them before the game that they couldn’t just turn up and expect to play football.

“They had to win the battle first. You have to fight to be able to get your foot on the ball and create opportunities. I thought they did that.”

Accies’ front three of Bustad, Miller and Steven Boyd caused havoc at times against a languid St Mirren.

Canning admitted his side could have scored more than three, with Boyd striking the bar before substitute Rakish Bingham saw a late effort saved by Saints goalkeeper Craig Samson.

The Accies boss said: “Wee Boydy was unfortunate in that he seemed to be leaning back as he hit the bar.

“We were probably a bit wasteful on the break, and with a tidier pass we should have created a few more opportunities on goal.

“But I can’t criticise the boys – they were fantastic.”

Hamilton were forced to bring off midfield anchorman Darian Mackinnon with a hamstring injury in the first half and Canning insisted they could not take a risk with him.

Canning said: “Darian had felt his hamstring through the week and we couldn’t take the risk in case he pulls it and ends up out longer term.”

St Mirren manager Oran Kearney, in just his second game in charge since replacing Alan Stubbs, was disappointed to see his side brushed aside so easily after last week’s impressive draw against Celtic.

He said: “We can’t look for excuses today.

“With the ball we were poor today and without it we were even worse.

“From one extreme to another, bar a 15-minute spell in the first half, we were disappointing.

“I think the desire to graft, and the want to do the ugly side of the game, was really missing today.

“I think there’s a few scars from earlier in the season, with losing goals in quick succession, and that was quite evident today.”