Hearts boss Neilson wary of trip to Hamilton

Hearts boss Robbie Neilson is worried his side will suffer the same fate as Aberdeen did when they take on Hamilton at the SuperSeal Stadium.

Published 21st Nov 2016

Hearts boss Robbie Neilson is worried his side will suffer the same fate as Aberdeen did when they take on Hamilton at the SuperSeal Stadium.

Accies sprang a surprise last month when they shot down Derek McInnes' high-flying Dons, ending the Pittodrie outfit's six-match winning run.

But Neilson hopes that will have served as a clear warning to his men ahead of their trip to Lanarkshire on Monday.

He said: "I was at the game when Accies beat Aberdeen, so we don't need any more warning about what they are capable of.

"Hamilton is always a tough place to go. They have a way of playing that means they get real benefits out of the players they have.

"It was the same style they played when Alex Neil was in charge and Martin has carried that on. He's brought in different players but they play the same kind of system.

"It can be very difficult to break down. We found it difficult there last season - we got beat and we drew.

"So it's important we go and try to implement our style - but we realise it will be tough.''

Hamilton boss Martin Canning believes his team will have to put in a display similar to the one which took care of Aberdeen if they are to repeat the trick.

He said: "Hearts have got good players. They are similar to Aberdeen in the sense they are a strong side but they also have technical players who can hurt you, so we need to match what we did against Aberdeen.

"They are a threat from all over the park. They are a powerful side.

"Okay their strikers may not have scored too many this season but look at Callum Paterson, he's got five goals already this season from right-back.

"We need to match Hearts' physicality then make sure we have something to offer ourselves going the other way.''