Latest news with #JohnRankin
Daily Record
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Hamilton Accies boss challenges side to prove relegation wasn't deserved
John Rankin is itching to get back to work and show what Accies can do Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin has told his players to show hunger and desire and prove they didn't deserve to be relegated to League One. Rankin has a core squad of 14 players that he's starting with this summer at their temporary home at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld, and wants their base to be sorted out as quickly as possible. The Accies gaffer hopes to set up four pre-season friendlies, starting at Lowland League club Caledonian Braves on June 20, ahead of the Premier Sports Cup kicking off, but is conscious they can't be at 'home' as the Broadwood pitch is replaced. Rankin is also mindful that relegation via a 15-point deduction is very much in players' minds. Rankin said: 'It's building a squad and a team that are mindful of where we've been this season. As I said to the players, they finished seventh in the league, and we need to make sure that we pick up the pieces and make sure we're hungry enough to be able to challenge at the top end of the table and get ourselves back into the Championship as quickly as we possibly can. 'I think if you speak to any group of players or manager who has been demoted to a league that they don't feel they deserve to be in, that there's a hunger or a desire to put that right, and I think we need to do that as a group. 'Players and staff all believe in what we're trying to do, and a big season lies ahead. 'There's uncertainty out there that people speak about, and the downside for me as the manager just now, is that I want to get contact with the players as quickly as possible. 'After the season that they had, and obviously near the end, when all sorts of stuff was kicking off, you want it to end on a break and a holiday, whereas I just want to try and get back to work, make sure we can put things right, get ourselves organised.' Rankin added: 'We're in a new facility, a new environment we're going to need to work from, and we need to figure it out as quickly as possible – how it works, how the different dynamics of it work, and make sure we get it all running smoothly as quickly as possible. 'I know that's what pre-season is for, but I almost want it done pre pre-season, so I know exactly what we're going into, and I've got it prepared for the players arriving on the first day of pre-season on June 18.' Sean McGinty and Nikolay Todorov have exercised relegation clauses in their contracts, but Rankin says there's a strong feeling of togetherness amongst those remaining. He said: 'Players haven't re-signed yet, there's still some in negotiations. Right now, from what I'm working off of, I believe we have 14 that are guaranteed, that have said they want to be here, and that we're keeping. 'I have the nucleus of a decent squad, and I want to build on that and make it as strong as I can, so that's what I'm working towards doing. 'Sean indicated straight away that he wanted to move on, and that's fine. 'Those conversations I then had with the rest of the players, I told them Sean wanted to move on, so I was honest with them from the beginning. 'I had some who said straight away 'I want to be here' so for me those are the ones I wanted to try and keep, and we got them tied up. 'There's nothing better for a manager than hearing that a player wants to be there, and take that battle on. 'We now need to assemble a squad, and make sure the ones we bring in complement the ones that we already have here.' On games, Rankin said: 'I've been fortunate where a lot of managers have reached out and are looking for games, so we only have one date available, now. 'The downside of that is we don't have anywhere we can play pre-season games at home because the pitch at Broadwood is getting torn up and replaced.'
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Hamilton Accies boss to hold talks with players over futures as key man seeks exit
The recently relegated side are hoping to keep most of their squad together for a crack and an immediate return to the Championship Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin will sit down with his relegated squad today to see who is with him for next season's League One campaign. But one player who could be on the way out is skipper Sean McGinty, with the defender keen to stay in the Championship or seal a move down south. The former Ayr and Partick Thistle star is currently on the lookout for a new club. The 31-year-old made 44 appearances for Accies this season, scoring four goals, and took the armband in February when club captain Scott Martin left the club for Partick Thistle in a swap deal with Scott Robinson, who penned a two-and-a-half year deal. Lanarkshire Live Sport understands a small number of the squad have relegation clauses in their contract and Rankin will hold one-to-ones with his star players to discuss their futures. It will be all change at Accies next season with the club leaving New Douglas Park to relocate to Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld for the foreseeable future, while they work with South Lanarkshire Council to find a new facility in their hometown. Accies have already announced they will remain full-time in their quest to seal an immediate return to the second tier next season. And a club statement addressing their relegation last week said: "We will fight with relentless determination to achieve promotion back to the Championship at the earliest opportunity, ideally next season, and look to progress further in the future."
Scottish Sun
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
SPFL club ask for ‘special delivery' with surprising contents to go to new home stadium amid Hamilton Accies drama
HAMILTON Academical have been hit with a number of blows in the last few weeks. A 15-point deduction and a four-figure fine were handed to them for a number of rule breaches including failure to pay players and provide correct information on stadium ownership. 5 John Rankin's side were relegated following point deduction drama Credit: SNS 5 Accies now face an exit from New Douglas Park Credit: SNS The club appealed these sanctions to the SFA but the verdict delivered just one day before the end of their season was that the charges would stick, consigning them to relegation to League One for the next campaign. As fan tensions grew board members were attacked at the home ground of New Douglas Park. And with crisis unfolding the owner of the stadium offered to defer Accies' debts and house them rent free for a year amid uncertainty that they could stay. However the club confirmed they wouldn't accept the deal and would instead move temporarily to Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld. They called their tenancy at NDP 'thoroughly unsatisfactory' and stated that the long-term aim is to build a new stadium in Hamilton. They also confirmed they would remain a full-time outfit for their third-tier charge in 2025-26. But where it gets even more complicated is that League Two team Clyde had been ground sharing New Douglas Park in place of their previous home... of Broadwood Stadium. They have had relocation troubles of their own so the scene now is that, for the foreseeable future, Accies will play at Clyde's home and vice-versa. A statement from the fourth-tier side said: "On April 3rd, we announced that we did not have sufficient clarity as to the intentions of our host club to confirm that our tenure at New Douglas Park would continue beyond the current season. "As the circumstances were entirely beyond our control, the SPFL agreed a period of grace beyond the registration deadline in order to achieve a solution. Moment fuming Hamilton Accies fans call for the exit of director of football Gerry Strain after their home defeat to Morton "Although we are no clearer on the circumstances which precipitated the uncertainty in the first place, we have notified the SPFL that we are, nonetheless, in a position to commit to New Douglas Park for the foreseeable future. "This has been a challenging time for the club and for the supporters. Having navigated it successfully, we must extend our thanks to those clubs and individuals who worked with us on alternative proposals. "Their co-operation and professionalism has been greatly appreciated." And since their immediate future was secured they enjoyed a great run-out on the turf they had to fight to continue playing on. League winners Peterhead visited and were put to the sword 6-1 by Clyde, which has led to an interesting reward coming their way. Popular football forum Pie and Bovril vowed to send 60 Freddos in a gag spanning several years which sees random winners given the sweet treat. The club expressed their gratitude and made sure the delivery destination was clear, posting: "6 goals = 60 Freddos. We like that math! 5 Accies will relocate temporarily to Broadwood Stadium Credit: Alamy 5 But Clyde will continue to play at NDP Credit: SNS 5 A box of Freddos are being sent to the League Two side at their new home Credit: Ray Collins "Special delivery to New Douglas Park please." New Broadwood settlers Accies however don't have as much cause to celebrate with endless chocolate. The most recent update from their chairman ahead of a tough year reads in full: "Following the Board's statement on receipt of the disappointing outcome of the SFA Appeal Tribunal hearing we require to make it clear once again that while we would like to expand on the circumstances relating to the charges, and the defences submitted, we are unable to do so without breaching SPFL Regulations. "However, now that relegation has been established, we can clarify that the following decisions have been taken: "1. The club will do what it must do in times of adversity – it will fight with relentless determination to achieve promotion back to the Championship at the earliest opportunity, ideally next season, and look to progress further in the future. "2. The club will remain full-time. "3. The Academy will remain a vital factor in the club's future. The development of youth remains at the forefront of our thinking and planning. Following the temporary relocation to Broadwood new arrangements will be made imminently to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of the football education of our valued youngsters. These arrangements will be communicated to parents in early course. It is also the club's intention to retain elite status for the academy. "4. The club will be making strategic appointments to the Board aimed at strengthening its overall leadership, governance and long-term direction. "5. On the basis that the Board agrees with supporters that the club should be based in Hamilton efforts will continue with South Lanarkshire Council towards that end. The Board appreciates the warm support and co-operation to date from the Council officials involved. North Lanarkshire Council was made aware from the start of our discussions about Broadwood that our long-term aim is to return to Hamilton. Their understanding and co-operation is also greatly appreciated. "6. Further communications with supporters will continue on a regular basis." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Hamilton Accies boss: Players feel angry and let down by relegation but in my mind we've finished seventh
John Rankin's reaction to the club's relegation to League One and their 3-1 defeat to Falkirk last night Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin says his players feel angry and let down by their controversial relegation from the Championship, but insists his side have 'finished the season seventh' in his mind. The South Lanarkshire side were officially relegated on Thursday night when they lost their appeal over a 15-point deduction enforced by the SPFL for multiple rule breaches. And last night they played their final game of the season in the second tier, giving Falkirk a fright before the Bairns roared back to win 3-1 and pip Livingston to the league crown in a dramatic title race. A place in League One awaits Hamilton now, but for Rankin - whose side have been relegated through no fault of their own - he says in his own mind the club have finished 15 points better off than the official table suggests, putting them seventh. Gutted Rankin said: "The overriding emotion is anger. We got to five weeks ago and we had an idea of what we thought we needed [to stay up] and we laid them down. "We wanted to finish seventh and we've done that in my table and the players' table. We've finished seventh. "Over the past three games and the announcement of the points deduction, it has been really tough for the players but never once have they downed tools or not wanted to train, they've rolled their sleeves up and just got on with it. "I work with these guys day in, day out and I know how hard they work and how committed they are. They feel let down and they are angry as well. "We've had a lot of sleepless nights. For our families, there's a lot of kids who don't understand and some that do. My daughter is going through her exams at the moment and she's seen her dad emotional at times. "I was emotional when I spoke to the players and I asked them to go through the mill for me one last time in a season when there's been a lot of downs and at the end of the game I thanked them for their effort and endeavour. "They went at it against the league champions. We turned 6,500 people against them and made it sticky for them for a bit. Yeah, they ran out on top but we were always going to run out of legs because of the exertions of the last couple of days." Accies took the lead within five minutes when Scott Robinson stunned the home crowd with a close-range finish. However, John McGlynn's men rallied and an Ethan Ross double turned the game on its head, before a Calvin Miller strike sealed the win they needed to beat Livingston to the crown. Rankin was pleased with the performance levels of his players after a mentally draining 24 hours. He added: "Over the past couple of days I've been devastated. We came here looking for a performance and I never doubted the players at any point. "I felt we got that performance. The passion, the commitment, the willingness to run - considering how the last 24 hours had gone for them - I am really proud of them. "I thought we started the game really well, turned the crowd against Falkirk. But they were always going to get momentum in the game, they were chasing the title. "At the same time, our players' futures are at stake and we haven't had discussion yet with regards to League One. But I am really proud of them. "Tonight wasn't about the result, it was about the togetherness and they worked hard for one another - and, by God, they did that."
Daily Record
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Emotional Hamilton Accies boss 'didn't sleep' after SFA appeal defeat, as he hails players for Falkirk showing
John Rankin gives is reaction to their relegation and defeat to Falkirk Emotional John Rankin hailed his Hamilton Accies players after giving Falkirk a real scare just 24 hours after being relegated. Accies lost their SFA appeal on Thursday night regarding a 15-point deduction for multiple breaches of SPFL rules, sending them to League One next season. But the players rallied from that bombshell to produce a valiant display in Grangemouth on a night Falkirk came from 1-0 down to triumph 3-1 - and pip title rivals Livingston to the Championship crown. Scott Robinson fired Accies in front after just five minutes to put Livi in the drving seat, bundling the ball home at the back post from close range. That lead lasted until the 33rd minute when Ethan Ross fired a free-kick straight down the middle of the goal and Accies keeper Dean Lyness made a hash of it to gift the hosts a leveller. That fired Falkirk up and, just shy of the hour mark, Ross capitalised on more poor defending from Accies to scramble the ball home from a corner. And in 71 minutes Calvin Miller completed their victory when he drilled a low strike into the bottom corner, beyond the despairing dive of Lyness. But Rankin praised his players for giving him their all in difficult circumstances. He commented: "I just said 'Thank you' to my players. I'm a bit emotional at the moment as I never slept last night. "But I awoke knowing they would give me everything and that's what they did. "These players don't know what the future holds but they know how to stick together. I honestly don't care about the result, I just wanted a performance and I got that."
