Hamilton Accies v Montrose: Rankin won't take any chances with players carrying knocks this season
John Rankin admits Hamilton Accies transfer embargo means he won't take any risks with his players carrying niggling injuries this season.
The Lanarkshire side kick-off their League One campaign this afternoon at home to Montrose, but do so under a season long ban that has left them unable to bring in senior players. Only under-19s and amateurs can be signed per the stipulations of their sanction.
So Rankin won't be taking any chances with his players' fitness and that means midfielders Barry Maguire and Kyle MacDonald are set to miss today's opener as they are carrying knocks in a squad of just 19 players, which includes three 16-year-olds.
The Accies boss said: "The way our squad is in terms of not having a big squad, every game will be tough. We just have to go out with full focus and the energy and commitment we expect from our team, to try and start the season well.
"Barry Maguire has been out since half-time in the Hearts game and Kyle missed the Dumbarton because of a niggle.
"With the news [of the embargo], we just couldn't risk playing him and losing another body.
"Both have been unable to train fully this week and we just can't risk anyone with a niggle being involved in any type of footballing work, apart from running in straight lines.
"We are having to manage players before the first game and get as strong a side on the pitch as we can."
Montrose come calling off the back of a 5-0 hammering at Premiership side Dundee in their final Premier Sports Cup clash last weekend, while Accies are licking their wounds after a narrow 1-0 loss at home to League Two Dumbarton.
On today's clash, Rankin said: "It will be a very tough game. Montrose have been in the league for a number of years and Stewart Petrie has made them highly competitive.
"They've finished in the play-offs a few times and he has strengthened the squad over the summer.
"Some of the older players that were there over the years have moved on and they've freshened it up with younger ones.
"Stewart will have them well-organised and we are expecting a difficult game, but we want to make a strong start."
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