Hamilton Accies boss won't be rushed into striker signing

John Rankin says he won’t rush into bringing a striker in to Hamilton Accies and sign somebody just for the sake of it.

Rankin is well aware that he needs more firepower, with just Kevin O’Hara and Euan Henderson up front, and says contact has been made.

But he wants to make sure it’s the right player.

He said: “I don’t know if we’re any further forward. We’re working hard behind the scenes, and with regards to a striker I’m not hiding away from that – we know what we need to do.

“We’ve only got two at the top end of the pitch in Hendo and Kev, and we need to make sure we strengthen that and bring others in.

“We have made contact and we’re trying to make sure we get the right one.

“I don’t think there’s any point in rushing. If we rush into something and it’s not the right one for us, just because we need a striker, then I think that has a tale later on.

“I think if we’re patient enough now to get the right man it will work well for us further on in the season.”

Rankin’s side beat Cumbernauld Colts 4-0 in their first pre-season friendly of the summer, with a Lee Kilday double added to by strikes from Scott Martin and Findlay Cameron. A start was handed to young striker Liam Morgan and a trialist, who is believed to be released Dunfermline midfielder Paul Allan.

Rankin says both did well, and it’s a case of building fitness with everybody.

He said: “Morgan did well, he’s getting a better understanding of the game. He was here at the tail-end of last season, coming on, starting a game and getting his first goal [in a 4-1 win over Kelty Hearts in May].

“It’s bridging that gap now between under-18 football and first team, and making sure we continue to develop him.

“I’m delighted to see him again, now maturing and coming back in pre-season in good condition.

“The trialist in the first part of the game I thought he did really well.

“We just need to make sure we’re ready and keep ticking boxes along the way.”

Hamilton have closed doors games this week, before visiting Kelty Hearts on Saturday, though Rankin says there’s some doubt about that.

He said: “I don’t know how that will go for next Saturday, whether it will definitely go ahead or not, but on Tuesday St Johnstone will be here, and I’m looking forward to that.

“It’s a test against a Premiership team and we need to be ready for that.

“We’ve been lucky that the weather has been fortunate towards us this week and we’ve been able to train every day. We’re training again on Sunday and we’ll get lots of different bits of information in them.

“So far it has all been about fitness. Today is the first day we’ve played a game, so now it will be about information and making sure we’re right when the season starts.”

Hamilton played back-to-back games on Saturday, with a 2-0 win over Gala Fairydean Rovers.

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