Hamilton boss calls for unity

Manager Martin Canning has called for unity in Hamilton's survival fight after their heavy defeat by Kilmarnock was met by anger from fans and the club's stadium announcer.

Accies could have guaranteed their Premiership safety last weekend but a 4-0 home loss saw second-bottom Killie cut the gap to four points with three games left.

Some supporters vented their anger at players and Canning in particular, while the New Douglas Park announcer stated there was no man of the match "because, quite frankly, none of them deserve it".

The club later announced that Ziggy Gordon had won the award and Canning was not happy with the words spoken over the PA system.

"I didn't actually hear it to be honest," the player/manager said. "I have since heard about it and obviously wasn't happy about it. But that will be taken care of."

He added: "You want the whole club united and you want to fight everybody together and make sure we get across the line.

"The most important thing for the club is to stay in the Premiership, for the players, for the fans, everybody wants to be there. I think if we all work together we have a better chance of doing that."

Accies had won their previous two matches, against both Dundee teams, but that did not cut them much slack with some fans, who directed abuse towards Canning as the game finished.

"You've got to try and shut it out but for them you understand it because they're passionate supporters and they want to go and win the game," the defender said.

"But the one thing you do need is to get behind the team as much as they can, get behind the whole club, because we are doing everything we can do to make sure we stay in the Premiership, and if we can do that it's been a good season for us. We are within touching distance."

Accies are aiming for a Tayside hat-trick on Saturday when they travel to Dens Park and Canning has urged his players to show the fight needed to move on from their defeat.

"Regardless of whether you win, lose or draw, you have got to forget the game because it's done," he said. "You have got to make sure you put all your energy and focus into the next game.

"And I'm pretty sure we will do that. We have done it all season. After poor performances and disappointing results, we have managed to bounce back and do well in the next game.

"We need to make sure that hunger and determination to put that wrong right is there."