Hamilton Accies No.2 will need to have a brilliant connection with kids, says boss

Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin admits his red card in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Morton highlighted the need for an assistant.

But he says goalkeeper coach Brian Potter stepped up to the plate following his dismissal, and reiterated that he won’t rush into an appointment, because he needs to bring in the right person.

Rankin has previously stated that he doesn’t want somebody who will just agree with him and be a ‘nodding dog’.

But he says whoever comes in as his No.2 also needs to have a connection to the swathes of young players at New Douglas Park.

Rankin said: “I don’t have anybody close at this moment in time, but I hope to be at this point next week.

“Pottsy was great on Saturday, he stepped up and he has been great the full time I’ve been in charge.

“Another pair of hands on deck would be great and it’s something we are trying to progress with at this moment in time.

“I’m looking for someone who can communicate with the kids. Trying to build relationships with young people nowadays becomes slightly more difficult, because of how society is.

“It needs to be somebody that can dip their toe into the youth development side of it and get them to transition from the 18s to first-team level.

“That’s hugely important at this football club and if they can do that, it’s a massive thing.

“But it needs to be someone who gets the respect of the players in the first-team dressing room.

“That’s a tough task, because you need to get out of one mentality and straight into the next, and it needs to be the right person for that.”

Former chairman Ronnie MacDonald was last week restored to the New Douglas Park board as chief executive, and Rankin is looking forward to working with him.

He said: “I think it’s great. Everybody speaks