John Rankin admits Dundee's 7-0 demolition job on his Hamilton Accies side is the most humiliating defeat of his career.
The Accies gaffer enjoyed a career high in management on Sunday when he guided 10-man Accies to SPFL Trust Trophy glory over Raith Rovers.
But a devasting display from Dundee delivered a sobering experience for Rankin and his players, who appeared to be suffering a hangover from their jubilant celebrations at the Falkirk Stadium last week.
The Dark Blues were 2-0 up after just 16 minutes thanks to goals from Alex Jakubiak and Ryan Sweeney and then Lyall Cameron and Luke McCowan both struck in first half stoppage time. to go in 4-0 to the good.
In the second half, Cameron completed his hat-trick with goals in the 72nd and 76th minutes before Kwame Thomas completed the rout six minutes from time.
Accies were without injured trio Matty Shiels, Benny Ashley-Seal and Marley Redfern - who all came off in the first half of the cup final - and suspended duo Scott Martin and Dan O'Reilly.
But their performance still fell way short of what would have been expected and shell-shocked Rankin said: "That’s the most humiliating defeat of my career.
“I said that to the players as well, it is the most humiliating defeat of their careers.
“I am really disappointed. I don't think we got anywhere near Dundee.
“I thought we looked like we would concede with every attack.
“The cup is done and we need to now concentrate on the league.”
The result keeps Accies bottom of the table but still just a point behind ninth-place Cove Rangers, who have played two games more.
Accies must pick themselves up quickly for a trip to Raith Rovers on Tuesday night, where Ian Murray's men will smell blood and be thirsty to excat their revenge for their painful cup final defeat.
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