Hamilton v Cove: Accies boss has 'high hopes' for promotion ahead of League One opener

John Rankin admits he has high hopes for his Hamilton Accies side this season – and promotion is the target ahead of Saturday’s League One opener with Cove Rangers.

Accies were relegated from the Championship last season alongside Cove and, ironically, the sides have been paired together on the opening day, exactly a week after they battled out a 2-2 draw in the Viaplay League Cup group stages.

Rankin’s men are alongside favourites Falkirk in the bookies’ tips for the title and he is feeling confident that his side can take the club straight back to the second tier.

A summer signing spree has seen a complete overhaul of the squad. Ten new signings, including Dylan Tait from Hibs and Joe McGlynn from Burnley, have come through the door and more are set to follow.

There has even been big changes in the boardroom, with new owner Seref Zengen taking the reins from Colin McGowan and chairman Allan Maitland stepping down.

So it’s very much a fresh start for the club in League One and Rankin said: “There is a different feeling around the place now.

“There’s not a lot of last season’s squad still here and there’s a different atmosphere about the place, which has brought a degree of positivity.

“The players have all worked hard in pre-season and they are desperate to be involved in the league.

“There is a different dimension and focus about the squad as well, and it’s a case of looking to start the season in winning form.

“We want to win as many games as possible and everybody’s aim is to go for promotion, and we go into the season with high hopes.

“Hopefully we can deliver on that.”

It is not an ideal first fixture for the club, having played Cove just seven days earlier and picking up just one win against them in four meetings