DEREK McINNES
“We had a lot of players playing at the top of their game”
“I thought it was a strong 90 minute performance, in the first half we get the goals and the movement and speed that we brought to the game was difficult for Hamilton to contain.
“We’ve started a lot of games similar this season in terms of coming out of the traps and getting on top of the opposition. We haven’t always managed to get the first goal, and I thought getting the second goal was very important to us, and then the third goal knocks the stuffing out of Hamilton. It was difficult for them from then on.
“I thought the second half the performance was still as strong, it just took us a bit longer to get going. We missed a few chances and there were a few saves from Michael McGovern as well, that kept the scoreline down.
“It was the 90 minute performance I was pleased with, not just the first half.
“I think it’s important the players show they are still fighting and that we have got plenty to play for.
“We want to see that in the performance. I thought the pitch helped today, it was far better conditioned for us to get the ball down and move it quickly and bring that speed to our game.
“I thought the tempo of the game suited us. As I say we had a lot of players playing at the top of their game today. Jonny Hayes was difficult to deal with, whenever he popped up he was usually influential. The other boys up top, (Simon) Church, (Kenny) McLean and (Niall) McGinn. It was a good day’s work.
“I think the International break was possibly a good thing for us because Kenny (McLean) and Jonny (Hayes) came bouncing back in the door on Thursday after getting their first caps, and I think that lifted everybody around the club not just for those boys.
“Simon Church going away, getting a couple of caps and getting a goal was good. Niall (McGinn), we’re used to him going away. We’ve had a good few days training ahead of this game, and I felt the players were ready to show we are still fighting and that was important.
“The player’s ability isn’t in question it’s trying to get those performances out of them. Today we were able to play on the front foot and ask questions of the opposition. When we bring that speed and tempo to our play it’s difficult for any team to deal with.
“We’ve not had as many clean sheets as we’ve been looking for, Hamilton always keep going, they have a real competitive edge to their game and we knew we had to concentrate. It’s important (the clean sheet), not just to the defence and the goalkeeper.
“Ash Taylor felt his thigh slightly in the warm up, it didn’t get any worse but we made the decision at half time, and with the scoreline it wasn’t worth risking him so we put Andy (Considine) on, but Ash will be fine for Friday.
“He was eager to stay on but we made that decision not to take any risks.
“I don’t think anybody within our club feels that the season is a write off, it’s really important that we finish the season strongly. The players are aware of that.
“We’ll finish where we deserve to finish but it’s important we go the full way and try and keep our season going and as interesting as possible for ourselves.
“We’ll finish where we deserve to finish but it’s important we go the full way and try and keep our season going and as interesting as possible for ourselves.
