Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin says Partick Thistle will provide a major test for his side on Saturday, but they showed resilience by battling to a draw against Morton with 10 men.
Already 1-0 up through an Andy Ryan strike, Accies had defender Shaun Want sent off five minutes from the break, with Grant Gillespie netting a penalty equaliser for ’Ton.
Rankin was sent to the stand by referee Mike Roncone for his fury over the decision for the foul – which appeared to have taken place outside of the box – but says his side still posed a threat while holding out for a point.
He says that shows what Accies are made of, as they head into their Firhill showdown.
Rankin said: “It’s a tester at the early part of the season, of how far we’ve come and how much more we need to improve.
“We want to get points on the board.
“We look back on Saturday and we’ve taken one point, while down to 10 nen, so the players have to take a lot of confidence from that, from the way they played in the second half, how organised they were, and how many leaders they had on the pitch.
“We need to try and get three points on the board, but it’s like every game in this division.
“Every game is winnable, but every team will think that as well. It’s so close, it’s so tight, and that’s why the Championship is one of the most exciting divisions in Scotland.”
Hamilton won 4-0 the last time they were in Maryhill, and while Rankin expects an entirely different game, he would like a return to that form.
He said: “We realise it’s going to be a completely different game and a completely different surface from the last time we were at Firhill.
“It was full of sand. With Queen’s Park playing on it as well as Thistle, it became a difficult surface for every team.
“I’ve been to Firhill many times on the opening weekend of a season and it’s a beautiful playing surface, so I’m expecting something completely different from the last time we were there, with a surface that you can get the ball down and play on.
“Thistle have good, experienced players, who have been in this division for a long time. They know how to win in this division, they know how to win the league, so it’s going to be a tough game, but it’s one we’re looking forward to.”
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