Raith Rovers v Hamilton Trust Trophy final talk banned by Accies boss, as side told to focus on relegation battle

Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin says he has banned all talk of their SPFL Trust Trophy Final with holders Raith Rovers next month.

The New Douglas Park side will be contesting cup silverware for the first time in 11 years when they take on Ian Murray’s men at the Falkirk Stadium on Sunday, March 26.

But Rankin insists his players have been warned to focus on their relegation battle in the Championship - and nothing else.

Accies face a huge week in the league with back-to-back games against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the space of four days and Rankin told Lanarkshire Live Sport : “I’ve banned all talk about the cup final.

“I’m not interested in the cup final right now.

“It’s six weeks away and I have said that to the players. They have been told in no uncertain terms to just focus on the next game in front of them.

“I’ve got a focus on what I want to do at this moment and we will tackle games one at a time over the next six weeks.

“The cup final has been put to bed for now and it’s one we can think about nearer the time.”

The SPFL have confirmed the cup final will have a 4.15pm kick-off and the clash will be shown live on BBC Alba.

Accies will be competing in their fifth Challenge Cup final, having lifted the trophy in 1992 when they defeated Ayr and in 1993 with a win over Morton.

They have lost their last two finals in the competition, having been beaten by St Mirren in 2007 and Falkirk in 2012.

Sixteen-year-old Ryan One hit an extra-time winner to get Accies into this season’s showpiece, as Accies edged past League One side Queen of the South with a 2-1 victory.

Rankin added: “We got through the semi-final last week and it was a great occasion, great for the players and great for our academy that one of our