Hamilton manager Brian Rice has heaped huge praise on his side after they recorded their second win of the week at home to Kilmarnock with only ten men.
Following on from their 1-0 triumph away to Rangers, a last-gasp Marios Ogkmpoe penalty sealed yet another huge victory for Accies. It lifts them out the bottom two, having succeeded in securing back to back wins for the first time since 2018.
Rice suggests that this double dosage of success has been a long process and has been a result of his players’ hard work and commitment to staying in the division.
“I’ve had worse weeks,’ Rice said. “Going to Ibrox and then keeping a clean sheet today, that is the sign of a team working hard.”
Hamilton were certainly made to work for the three points having needed to overcome the disappointment of two early injuries, a sending off and, as Rice states, the weather too: “The conditions were horrendous. The wind, I know I keep on going on about the wind ruining games, even though we still won today, the wind ruined the game.
“But phenomenal again. They keep on digging in. They keep on going further and the spirit, and the determination not to lose, was magnificent.”
Rice suggests that this sudden upturn in fortunes for Accies is certainly not a surprise in the slightest, instead, it is a true representation of the mental toughness and winning mentality that has been instilled within the walls of The Foys Stadium.
“This season, we’ve been battered by all sorts of things,” he said. “This week, we’ve carried a wee bit of luck, but I think the lads deserve it for everything they put in every single day.
“I ask lots from them every day. They don’t ever feel sorry for themselves – red cards or last-minute goals. If you keep on doing the right things, keep on training properly, it’ll turn.”