Canning wants Hamilton to play without fear in survival fight

Hamilton manager Martin Canning wants his team to play without fear as they continue their survival fight against Partick Thistle.

Accies moved five points above the relegation play-off spot with victory at Inverness and could further extend their lead if Kilmarnock lose against leaders Celtic in Saturday's early kick-off.

But Canning dismissed suggestions that a cushion could help them relax going into the final stage of the season.

Canning said: "Every game between now and the end of the season will be a big game. Regardless of where we are in the league, we will be trying to win it.

"We shouldn't relax anymore with one game to go knowing you are safe than we should on Saturday.

"I don't put any pressure on the players at all to go and perform other than the pressure they put on themselves. Go and enjoy it, that's the biggest thing.

"If you're enjoying football, you will perform at the levels you should.

"For me that's what I try and set out the boys to go and do.

"There will be no pressure, we know if we play well and enough of us perform on the day, then we are capable of winning the game. We have got to believe that and focus on that.''