Hamilton Accies handing goalkeeper new deal a 'no-brainer', says boss John Rankin

Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin says it was a 'no-brainer' for the club to hand goalkeeper Jamie Smith a new three-year contract.

The 21-year-old put pen to paper on a contract extension last week following a terrific start to the season, which saw him keep four clean sheets in August and helped him win the League One player of the month.

Smith - who has had loan spells at Lowland League Broomhill and East of Scotland League outfit Blackburn United in recent years - came through the club's academy and Rankin says it was an easy decision to extend the shot-stopper's stay beyond the end of this season.

He said: "Jamie is a 21-year-old goalkeeper and there's not many goalkeepers at his age playing at their own club. Usually guys like him are out on loan somewhere.

"But Jamie's development over the last three months has been pleasing.

"He's come in, got a run in the team, you can see him growing in confidence and he got player of the month last month.

"He's got a good future ahead of him. His contract was up next summer so with the number of games he has played and his performances, we thought it was important to secure him on a contract.

"Jamie came through the club, knows [goalkeeping coach] Brian Potter and what he is all about, so it was a no-brainer for us and we are delighted he has signed a new contract."

Smith has taken hold of the gloves as Ryan Fulton continues his recovery.

Fulton has been on the bench in the last three games and on his comeback, Rankin said: "Fults has only played 45 minutes in a bounce game against Queen's Park last week and we've got a bounce game next week against Raith Rovers where we will look to play him, to up his game time.

"He needs to get his sharpness back and, once he does, he will