Hamilton Accies boss praises 'resolute' side after clean sheet at Morton

By Ian Steven

Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin was delighted to get a clean sheet against Morton in Greenock, and praised his ‘resolute’ side.

Dougie Imrie’s ’Ton were the better side in the first half, with the best chance falling to Owen Moffat 10 yards from goal, while Kyle MacDonald forced a terrific save from Ryan Mullen in the second period.

Accies almost took the lead seconds after the restart when Mullen got across well to prevent MacDonald’s curling effort from flying in.

Visiting keeper Charlie Albinson displayed great reflexes to foil Michael Garrity on the counter-attack, when it looked like the striker would score from close range.

Rankin said: “We did not make the goalkeeper work, other than the first minute in the second half.

“We got into a really good position but did not compose ourselves and pick out the right pass.

“Overall, over the piece, coming here and picking up a point... it is a tough place to come to.

“The pitch is narrow, it’s an old-fashioned ground. I am pleased with the point, and then we will move on.

“I’m delighted to get a clean sheet. We looked at the game last week and I don’t think there was a lot in it, we had chances.

“Today we looked resolute defensively, and we looked solid. We also gave chances away and we need to look at that.

“There is lots of video footage to go over, and then on the training pitch, ready for next weekend.”

Having not been as solid in the first half as Rankin would have liked, he was happier with the second half.

“I am delighted with the reaction,” he said. “To be honest, the players could have gone under at half-time, it was not exemplary in the first half.

“They responded to that, went out in the second half and responded to what we were trying to do – and