Hamilton Accies Preview | The Captain

Graeme Shinnie

The skipper spoke to afc.co.uk to preview the trip to Hamilton this weekend:

“The result at the weekend was good, bouncing back from the Celtic game and also recovering from going 1-0 down.

“It was a tough game against Celtic. They played well in the game and played to their strengths. When they play like that it is tough. We knew we had to bounce back. Going down early against County made things difficult for us. It was so important to get back into the game straight away and we did just that after a brilliant goal by Ryan. We kicked on and maybe could have won by a few more but we got the job done.

“Coming in this week everything was very positive again.

“After the Celtic game it was important to pick the boys back up and the coaches and everyone around the club tried to do that. We knew what position we were in going into the Celtic game but even after the defeat we still find ourselves in a strong position in the league. We picked the atmosphere back up and got the place buzzing again. It has been a really good week and a good build up to the game.

“I am sure Ryan, Kenny and myself getting into the Scotland squad has given everyone involved with the club a little lift. It is always brilliant to get that acknowledgement and it will be very enjoyable when we go away with the national team next week, but we want to do well in the Hamilton game before we go. We desperately want to get the three points for many reasons, but it would also make the whole Scotland experience more enjoyable on the back of a win.

“After the game we will start to think about meeting up with the Scotland squad but the focus all week has been on the Hamilton game. Everyone has been working hard to try and get a positive result.

“Sometimes we train on astro-turf ahead of an away trip to Hamilton or Kilmarnock. But everyone has played on astro before so we know what it is like. What is more important is that we keep the spirits and standards as high as they can possibly be at training. And we have done that this week.

“It will be a very tough game. They had a great result against Dundee last weekend. You know what you are going to get from Hamilton. Everyone recognises they are a hard-working team who will try and get in your face and try and cause you as many problems as they can. They also have some good players and one or two of their more experienced guys are returning from injury.

“It is well documented that it is a ground we have struggled at in recent years. But no team in the league gets an easy game at that venue. In both games down there last season Hamilton got an early goal and then sat in and tried to frustrate us. To be fair they defended very well in both games. We actually played quite well in both matches – we have probably played worse and won games – but at the end of the day it is the result that counts.

“We have already won down there this season and know we can do that again if we play to our strengths.

“That night the fans had a big part to play and helped us get over the line. They really turned out in their numbers as they always do away from home. It really spurs us on and we always want to do well to repay them for coming down and supporting us.

“The players, the manager, coaches and supporters; we will work together on Saturday as one to try and get a positive result.”