Ross County manager John Hughes says Charlie Lakin ‘worked like a Trojan’ as the Birmingham City loanee scored the winning goal to effectively relegate Hamilton Accies.
Scott McMann had put Hamilton ahead but goals from Blair Spittal and the Birmingham City loanee means Hamilton need to win by nine goals against Kilmarnock this weekend to avoid automatic relegation from the Scottish Premiership. County need a point against Motherwell this weekend to secure their safety.
The Birmingham City loanee scored the winner. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
The Birmingham City loanee was key to success according to Hughes: “Charlie Lakin has found himself out of the team but he has worked like a Trojan. He came on for the last 10 minutes of the game against Dundee United and he was the first person I spoke to after the game. He didn’t throw his toys out the pram.
“He was a good supporter of his teammates and he’s the hero here. I am delighted for him and I am hoping that come Sunday we have another hero that’s wearing Ross County colours. I’m just delighted for the players – it’s all about them. They have worked ever so hard since I have come in and we have had to really galvanise them.
“We have put demands on them and we have had a great response. We have given ourselves a chance to stay in the Premiership so when that chance comes along… I’m absolutely delighted we took it. I don’t think it was a great game. But we dug deep and lady luck just shone on us a wee bit.”
Lady luck for Ross County. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
For Hamilton, it means their seven-year stay in the division is all but over, manager Brian Rice dejected: “I’m devastated for everyone connected with Hamilton. The players gave it everything. It just wasn’t enough. We always have a fighting mentality about us. We knew what was at stake. I told them to be brave and they were brave.
“We gave it absolutely everything. Everyone in that dressing room is on their knees because they know know much they put into it. We need to take it on the chin, and regroup and make sure we are ready to go when the new season kicks off. We want to finish the league off with a victory, that’s for sure.
“You want to win every game you play in. If we play like this and take our chances we have very chance of winning. But it is very raw at the minute. It is the worst feeling I have ever had in football, you talk about on the pitch.”
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