Hamilton Accies Andy Ryan John Rankin Lee Bullen county Douglas sports Love Parke Bay Hamilton Accies Andy Ryan John Rankin Lee Bullen county Douglas

Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin says first goal will be crucial to win at Ayr

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dailyrecord.co.uk

Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin knows his side must keep Ayr hot-shot Dipo Akinyemi at bay and says the first goal is crucial in Saturday’s Championship clash at Ayr.Rankin has been frustrated as shot-shy Accies have passed up chances while others take them, and says that means they sit in and frustrate his side.Akinyemi is on 15 goals for the season, three of which have come against Accies in a 3-2 defeat at New Douglas Park, and a 2-2 draw at Somerset Park back in August.Accies would love firepower like that, having last scored a league goal in that 3-2 defeat on November 11, five games ago.

Top scorer Andy Ryan is on nine.Their need for points is stark, sitting bottom of the table, six points behind Arbroath, and Rankin knows they need to start taking games by the collar.“We have to take confidence into the weekend that we can cause problems,” he said.“Ultimately we have to be aware of Akinyemi, we know how dangerous he can be.“The last time we played Ayr, their manager, Lee Bullen, was very complimentary after the game about how we played, how we approached the game and how we deserved something from it – but ultimately we got nothing from it.“That’s the hard part; when you play well and create chances, but ultimately if you give the top striker in the league opportunities at the other end, then you’re going to get punished.“We have to make sure we’re aware of him.

He’s the top striker in the league, and he will have plenty of admirers, but it’s one we have to look after and try to be a threat at the other end.“Scoring goals is an issue just now.

If you look at the last four games now, we’re creating chances and at vital moments of the game we’re not being ruthless enough.”Rankin added: “It could be a hard-luck

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