My Hearts mentor John Rankin always had my backing to get Hamilton back on track, says Connor Smith

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Accies striker Connor Smith insists he always belived his old Hearts mentor John Rankin was capable of turning things around at Hamilton.And the Tynecastle loanee is hoping to keep up his fine form to guide Accies further away from the automatic relegation spot in the Championship.Rankin was a youth coach at the Jambos before the switch to New Douglas Park and his move to bring 21-year-old Smith in on loan is paying off, with the the youngster netting three goals in his last three games.Smith;s latest strike came from the penalty spot in Tuesday night's massive 2-1 win over Inverness, which lifted Accies off the bottom of the Championship for the first time since November.Accies are now two points clear of Arbroath and within two points of eighth-place Cove Rangers.It had been far from rosey for Rankin until recently, but Smith insists he knew that would change.He explained: "I've been in for a few weeks now and even before then I saw that the club were winning games, and I watched them beat Ross County in the [Scottish] cup."You could see there was a really good team here."I was talking to the gaffer and asking 'how is this team bottom of the league?'"He said we just needed to get signings in, because it is hard when you've not got many players able to come off the bench."But now we have players in and changes can be made.“I worked under John for nearly five years when he was at Hearts, so I know what he is like.“He was honest with me, he said we needed to get off the bottom of the league but things will change."I came in and signed after that, and everything has fallen into place for me so far."Smith added: "I’m pleased for him.