Hamilton manager Martin Canning has urged his club to pull together after a fan hurled personal abuse at club captain Michael Devlin after Saturday’s defeat to Motherwell.
Canning was sorely disappointed by the outcome of the crunch Lanarkshire derby, and his misery was compounded when he heard of the experience that Devlin and his family went through in the aftermath of the game.
The Hamilton boss says that you cannot accuse any of his players of not giving their all for the club, and he hopes that the fans will rally behind them for tonight’s crucial tie at Ross County.
“It wasn’t pleasant for him and it’s one fan who has let himself down by getting personal with a player,” Canning said. “That should never happen.
“I thought Michael was excellent in the game, he won everything and he was dominant, he defended really well. So, I don’t know where it has come from, I just know it shouldn’t have happened.
“At different points of the season I’ve taken it as well, and as a manager you kind of expect it and you can take it. But the players are out there working their socks off for this football club week-in, week-out. We’re a small club and the boys do a fantastic job. They work so hard and compete against guys that are at a higher level than they are and at bigger clubs.
“They don’t expect and won’t accept getting abused when they are coming off a pitch, and neither will I, for putting in an honest, hardworking shift.
“If the fans feel that they are getting short-changed by the effort on the pitch then I could accept a little bit from the stands. Nothing personal, but they are going to give a bit. It’s part of the game. But one thing you could never accuse Hamilton of is the players not giving everything for the club.”
Ross County manager Jim McIntyre has meanwhile demanded a big performance from his own players this evening as a reward to chairman Roy MacGregor for throwing the doors open to fans.
Home and away supporters attending County’s final home game of the season will be granted free entry and McIntyre is eager to ensure a night to remember, even though County secured their Premiership safety with Saturday’s draw at Dundee.
“This is our last home game of the season and we want to send the fans away happy and looking forward to next season,” McIntyre said.
“It’s a marvellous gesture from Roy and great credit goes to him for that. Hopefully the punters appreciate that, get themselves along and get right behind the team.”
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