Hamilton Accies boss John Ranikin says he can see relationships forming on and off the pitch, as his new stars gel with existing squad members.
And he says it's almost like a clean slate for everybody in his squad.
Rankin was speaking after Hamilton beat Blantyre Vics 3-0 at the KG Stadium to lift the inaugural PG McGilvray Memorial Cup.
Hamilton took a strong squad to Blantyre, with Reghan Tumilty, Lee Kilday, Jackson Longridge, Euan Henderson, Scott Martin, Kevin O'Hara, Dario Zanatta and Lewis Smith all starting.
Longridge got Accies off the mark in 12 minutes, before Smith forced an own-goal from defender Stephen White to close out the first half.
Vics had the ball in the net through Sam Archibald, but he was correctly flagged offside, before Henderson added a free-kick strike for the third.
Rankin was pleased with the exercise against a stuffy West of Scotland First Division side, having defeated Thorniewood United 11-0 last night, and said: “First and foremost there are no injuries, that’s the main thing.
“I’m delighted with the last two games, getting through the majority of the game last night and having to play again today.
“We’ve got our physical work done, but now it becomes about the game, so it’s important that our players get into good habits early doors.
“I felt over the piece in the last two games we have been.
“I’m seeing things within them that we’re working on in training, so it has to come into fruition in games.
“You could see relationships forming, so I’m pleased with that.
“We’re seeing a lot of relationships forming not just on the pitch but off it as well, and that’s important at this time of the season.
“We’ve spent a lot of time together already, and we will over the coming weeks.
“They’ll get Tuesday off and it will be a well-earned rest, but we still have a few games to go between now and then.”
With 14 goals scored over their first two pre-season friendlies, Rankin is pleased with that aspect, but says it comes from players trying to prove themselves.
He said: “We’re scoring goals and I think it’s important that the players at the top end of the pitch are scoring goals.
“We’re creative and we’re getting runners as well, so that’s important.
“But we don’t want to peak too early. We’re playing games, but we’re also doing a lot of physical work within that, so you have to give the boys some credit.
“Their attitude in the games has been really good, and they’re probably been fatigued in the last two days with what we’ve done.
“The ones that have been here since last season are not familiar with the new ones that have come in, but it’s almost as if it’s a new start for them as well.
“There have been that many changes, that many different players coming in, so everybody has been on their toes, everybody wants to show how good they are.
“Usually when a new player comes in he’s desperate to show the remainder of the squad, but it hasn’t been like that here – the ones who are here are desperate to show what their ability is.”
Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.
