Right direction

After spending the majority of the past decade fighting off relegation, Hamilton’s task for the year was simple; avoid the dogfight.

The Blues are currently sitting in 10th spot but, with the side better off on points when compared to the same stage last season, the boss is confident of staving off a battle to stay in the Premiership.

“We’ve played everybody once now and we’re five points better off than we were this time last year,” he said.

“We’ve picked up one more win and two more draws than we had at this stage last season and we’re better off.

“In every game so far, bar the last two league games against Ballymena and Coleraine, we’ve deserved to get something. That’s encouraging and it’s an improvement. It’s a credit to the boys for putting themselves in that position.

“We’re better off in terms of points but also there are more encouraging signs because we could have won more games than we have. Saturday was disappointing but overall we’ve improved so far. That’s what the board is looking for and what I’m looking for.

“If we can continue this margin of improvement, then we’ll be in a better position at the end of this year than we were last year.”