Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin expects his side to stand up to a committed Morton side in their Championship opener on Saturday as they look to get their campaign off to a positive start.
Rankin says every professional player in the country will be eager to get stuck in to the first game of the season, and Hamilton are no different.
But he warns that those who start on Saturday will need to fight to keep the jersey, while others battle to take it off of them.
He said: "Every season it’s important to get off to a good start – it’s massive.
“It gives you something to build on, gives you good confidence to go and kick on for the rest of the season.
“But at the same time, it’s only one game – if you win the first game of the season it doesn’t mean you’re going to win the league.
“If you lose the first game of the season it doesn’t mean you’re going to get relegated.
“We need to treat Saturday’s game as the first of a long campaign, where hopefully we can make it a successful one.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge of players accepting that they’ve got the jersey for the first game of the season, but they’ve not got it for the rest of the season.
“They have to accept that challenge of trying to stay in the team, while the players that aren’t are going to take the challenge on that they want that jersey back.
“I’m fully aware of the commitment of the squad. Football is no longer about 11, it’s about your squad.
“I think if you make them all feel important they’ll be ready for the games, and it then becomes hugely important for us as a group.”
Accies legend Dougie Imrie brings his Morton side to New Douglas Park, and Rankin knows what to expect.
He said: “I’ve got the utmost respect for what Dougie has done at Morton. He went in there and has done absolutely great.
“You know what to expect from a Dougie Imrie team – they’ll be in your face, there will be lots of endeavour, lots of energy and good quality.
“It will be a tough game, we’re not under any illusions about that.
“But it’s the first league game of the season.
“As a player you look at the league, who you’re starting against, and your first couple of fixtures, and with the excitement for the players and the build-up it will be great.
“I wish I was still playing and getting that feeling.
“It’s a great incentive for them to go and start the league, and it’s a home game. It’s the first game of the season, there’s hunger and desire, and we need to make sure that we go out on Saturday with a calmness to go and play our style, rather than getting caught up in the occasion.”
Meanwhile, Rankin says he’s working hard to bring in new players and an assistant at Hamilton Accies.
On the player front, Rankin admits it is difficult to attract quality to the club, but he’s not just going to bring people in to bolster his squad.
But he knows that fans are clamouring for more signings to be brought in to strengthen.
“It is difficult but we remain hopeful that something can be done this week to strengthen,” he said.
“I keep going on about quality and more than anything it needs to be someone or a certain individual who will bring something different to us – I think that’s important.
“There’s no point in signing like for like. It needs to be something different that will improve us, and we’re working really hard to make that happen this week.
“I’m looking for an assistant too, and it’s hugely important to get the right person.
“I’m actively working on that, and hopefully we can get something sorted if not this week, then definitely next.”
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