Hamilton Accies boss 'given permission' to talk to January signing targets

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin has revealed he has been given permission to talk to players, as he bids to strengthen in January.When asked if he has a priority, Rankin said simply “ultimately better players” and is open to strengthening in every position as he bids to haul Accies off the foot of the Championship table.Rankin is keeping his cards close to his chest, in terms of identifying the targets, but says they will work hard to improve as much as they can.He said: “We’ve got permission to talk to a couple of players so far, so we’re actively working.“Like everything else, at Hamilton you need to have a few that you’re interested in, or looking at, but we’ve made certain players targets.“We’re trying to bring them in or convince them to come here, that it’s the right option for them.“I’m sure that the ones we’re looking at will have different options, but it’s about making this the right place, the right environment to come and play, and helping us.“They can come in and help us, but what we can do for them as well is give them an opportunity to play, and also create competition for places.“It’s hugely important that we can do that in January.”Rankin added: “The priority is better; ultimately better players, and then that brings the level of everything up.“What usually happens when you bring better players in is the competition for places comes up, the level of training comes up, the standards come up, and that’s what we need to strive to do.“Right now, being a team in the position that we are, we’re open to everything.“We’ve highlighted some, I’m not going to give names at this present time because I think that’s disrespectful to the club and the players themselves.“But we need to be open to everything.