Canning optimistic about Hamilton's Scottish Cup prospects
Martin Canning insists there is no reason why Hamilton cannot reach the William Hill Scottish Cup final this season.
Last updated 8th Feb 2017
Martin Canning insists there is no reason why Hamilton cannot reach the William Hill Scottish Cup final this season.
The Accies boss was a defender at Gretna when they got to the final in 2006 only to lose in a penalty shoot-out against Hearts - albeit he was cup-tied following his move from Ross County.
With clubs such as Dunfermline, Queen of the South, Falkirk, Ross County and Inverness reaching the showpiece occasion in the intervening years, Canning is hopeful of making it all the way this season.
Barring the Lanarkshire side's way, however, is Championship outfit Dunfermline, whom they face in the fifth-round tie at East End Park on Saturday.
He said: "If you look at the clubs who have got to the final in the last few years, there is no reason why we can't.
"Obviously you need that little break as well, that little bit of luck at times.
"That's one of the things in the cup. In the cup you have one opportunity so you have to play well on the day, get the rub of the green to get to a cup final or semi-final and hopefully we can get that on Saturday.
"You look to try and go as far as you can in the cup. I was at Gretna when we got to the cup final. I didn't play, I was cup-tied, but you live through it and see the commotion it causes, the atmosphere in the camp is great so you want to do as well as you can in the cup.
"Traditionally it is something we have never done. For whatever reason we have not managed to put a good cup run together so hopefully this can be the year.
"But, as I say, Saturday will be a difficult game and being the Premiership club as well, you are probably expected to win.
"But you you are playing against a huge club in its own right which found itself in the Championship. They have good players so we know we will have to beat our best to get through."