Hamilton manager Brian Rice has hinted at the fact his Hamilton side will attack Celtic this weekend.
The two sides go head to head this week in South Lanarkshire. Celtic have won all four matches so far this term, whilst Accies have also started fairly well, sitting on four points from four games.
Hamilton drew 2-2 with Hearts in their last match. (Photo by Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Rice has said that he doesn’t want his team to sit back and defend, implying they’ll try to go for it against the Parkhead side.
He told the Daily Record: “I want the players to look forward to it, enjoy it, but make sure we compete. First and foremost, make sure we’re hard to beat.
“I don’t want to put 11 jerseys on the pitch and defend, I want us to go out there and compete.”
Rice can’t leave Hamilton too exposed, just ask Motherwell
Rice tried to get Hamilton attacking Rangers when the two sides met earlier this year. That game ended 5-0 to the away side, so Accies must be careful they don’t open up too much.
Rangers thumped Accies earlier this year. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
That’s not to say they shouldn’t attack the game, they should if they want anything from it, but they run the risks of a hammering.
Motherwell tried to play open expansive football against Celtic on the second weekend of Premiership action. Whilst the Steelmen did start well, they left themselves wide open at the back due to their attacking nature.
The game finished 5-2 to Celtic and the Well were lucky it wasn’t more. If you give Celtic an inch they’re taking 100 miles in this league. Accies must limit their creative players like Odsonne Edouard and James Forrest.
Rice wants Hamilton to attack, but he must be wary of Celtic strengths. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Hamilton haven’t exactly got the best record against Celtic recently either, losing nine games in a row. Rice seems keen to play on the front foot on Saturday, but as their Lanarkshire rivals showed, that can play into Celtic’s hand.