Derby date ‘just another game’ for Hamilton

He said that Kyle Neill and Andy McGrory could be in contention for a return to action following injury, but he wouldn’t know until later in the week.

He said: “From my point of view it’s just another game with the same three points on offer.

“We did well against them last season after suffering many years of hurt. Hopefully like last year we’ll get a good performance, but if we don’t win it’s not the end of the world. We’ve got nine points from our last nine so I couldn’t ask for any more.

“Derby games are like cup ties in that it all comes down to who performs on the day. Form goes out the window.

“These games are great for the fans but the players and coaching staff will be treating it as just another game.”

He continued: “We still haven’t hit top gear. There’s another 10 to 20% in the lockers. That’s not a criticism of how we’ve been playing, I just know we can be even better.”

Welcoming new signing Paddy McNally he said: “Paddy was the first player I tried to sign this season, but he had trials at a few clubs over in England. That’s didn’t work out for him and we’ve been able to sign him up.

“He has a lot of potential. He played three games in a row for Cliftonville last season and they kept three clean sheets.

“He could figure on Saturday if Winkie doesn’t recover.”