Hamilton winger not taking Dundee United lightly

Hamilton appear to have the advantage ahead of the second leg

Published 26th May 2017

Hamilton appear to have the advantage ahead of the second leg of their Premiership play-off final against Dundee United but Accies midfielder Dougie Imrie has urged caution.

A goalless draw in the first game at Tannadice on Thursday night on the face of it has set up Martin Canning's men to finish the job at the SuperSeal Stadium on Sunday.

However, Imrie stressed that top-flight survival is far from assured.

No, I don't think so,'' said the 33-year-old winger, who is ready to play through the pain barrier after sustaining a rib injury in a collision with Dundee United goalkeeper Cammy Bell

It is a one-off game, there is everything to play for. Whoever wins the game stays up.

If we can play the way we did in the first half, with the chances we created and with some of the play which was excellent, I am sure we will do enough.

I thought we created two or three good opportunities and the keeper has kept them in the game with a couple of good saves.

But we can't switch off, we will not take Dundee United for granted.

We seen United's threats, breaking on us quickly so we need to be switched on for that.

They are a good team, they have come through two play-off ties already so they are full of confidence.

It is about who turns up, plays the best and scores the goals.''

United felt they should have had a second-half penalty for a Scott McMann challenge on Simon Murray which ended up with the Dundee United striker shown a second yellow card for simulation, albeit that decision has been appealed, leaving him free for the trip to Hamilton.

However, Imrie claimed Accies should have been awarded a spot-kick early in the first half.

The former Morton and St Mirren player went to ground clutching his face after a challenge with United defender Mark Durnan but referee Steven McLean was unimpressed.

Imrie said: I thought it was an elbow. He is not playing for the ball, he has put his arm round and caught me flush on the side of the face with an elbow.

The referee said it was accidental. I don't know how an elbow can be accidental but you have to get on with it.

It is the referee's decision and they have a hard enough job, we just have to move on.''