Martin Canning: A fully-fit David Templeton can make a difference
The former Hearts and Rangers attacker energised Accies when he replaced Dougie Imrie in the Betfred Cup tie against Queen of the South on Saturday.
Hamilton boss Martin Canning will give David Templeton time and space to get himself up to speed for the upcoming Premiership campaign.
The former Hearts and Rangers attacker energised Accies when he replaced Dougie Imrie on the hour mark in the Betfred Cup tie against Queen of the South at the SuperSeal stadium on Saturday.
It was his first appearance of the season and after the Group G encounter ended in a 1-1 draw, Templeton scored in the 6-5 penalty shoot-out win, where home goalkeeper Gary Woods saved three spot-kicks.
Canning gave Templeton a short-term contract near the end of last season before extending his deal until next summer, and he acknowledged that the talented 28-year-old could be a key operator for Hamilton this year.
“He is that bit of something that we haven't got in terms of that extra quality, that little bit of magic in his boots,” said Canning.
“He came on the pitch and within a minute he had a shot at goal.
“But he is a bit behind the boys in terms of his pre-season because he picked up a wee niggle.
“So it will be the same as last season. I won't put any pressure on Temps, he will be allowed to go at his own pace.
“If he is fully fit he can make a difference because he has the bit of magic that can open a team up when it is tight and compact.
“That was half an hour he got and we will work on that on Tuesday (against Albion Rovers), see if we can get him more game time and build him up so we are ready for the league.”
It was the second successive penalty shoot-out defeat for Queen of the South, who are at the top of Group G with five points albeit they have only one game remaining.
Manager Gary Naysmith stressed the importance of the match against Albion Rovers next weekend.
He said: “Will eight points get us out of the group? I don't know.
“But it was vitally important we got something at Hamilton because if we had got beat we would have been playing for nothing next week.
“As it is, we have not been beaten in three games, we have drawn two and won one. We need to try and win next week and see where it takes us.