Neil ready to roll with the punches

Hamilton player-manager Alex Neil has vowed to treat Scottish Premiership triumph and disaster as equal imposters this season.

After losing the opening game of the season at home to Inverness Neil noted that his newly-promoted side were immediately consigned by some to relegation back to the Championship.

The Accies responded to that early setback by beating St Mirren and St Johnstone in their next two games to have critics reconsidering their predictions but, ahead of the trip to Partick Thistle on Saturday, Neil refused to get carried away by the swift turnaround in fortunes.

Football is fickle,'' he said.One minute you are great, the next you are hopeless.

We are not getting carried away. We have played well in two games and managed to win those games but it is going to be a long hard season.

There was no point in panicking (after first game), it was only one game, three points, and there are going to be games where you will play really well and not get three points and games where you don't deserve to win but pick them up.

So you can't get too carried away when you are doing well and get too down when you are not.

You have to remain on course, work as hard as you can, and hope it swings in your favour.

We just want points on the board. It relieves the pressure and lets the boys go out and express themselves.

We are happy with what we have done so far but we have a lot of work to do and need to start again tomorrow.''

The Accies and Thistle last locked horns in the second-tier two seasons ago before the Firhill side were promoted as champions.

Neil, still looking to add to his squad before the transfer window closes, said: When they won the league they were far the best team and they have improved since then.

They are a good side and if you are not on your mettle, they can hurt you as they did with Ross County at the beginning of the season.

They have good pace on the flanks and they are well-balanced so we are going to have to be at our best.

We found it difficult at their place but we are hoping that is going to change tomorrow.''