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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Paul Thomson

Hamilton Accies players focused on football and not manager uncertainty, says Shaun Want

Shaun Want insists Hamilton players haven't been distracted by the mystery surrounding the future of head coach Stuart Taylor.

But the defender has revealed that while Taylor has been "in and around the club" this week after returning from annual leave, he has not been with them on the training pitch thus far.

Accies returned for pre-season training on Monday with assistant boss John Rankin running the show.

Over a month since news broke that Accies were in the process of parting company with Taylor, neither the club hierarchy or Taylor himself have wished to comment on or clarify the situation.

But Want says the players' focus is on being ready for the first competitive match on July 9 when they travel to Dundee in the Premier Sports Cup.

John Rankin, pictured during Monday's first pre-season session, has been taking training this week (HAFC)

The 25-year-old, who has been with Accies since he was a boy, said: "As a player your focus at this stage of the season is to get as fit as possible and be ready because everyone knows pre-season is going to be tough.

"We've seen him [Taylor] a few times, even in and around the club, so nothing has really changed as far as we are concerned.

"Our focus is just on working hard on the training pitch.

"The other side of football isn't something for us to worry about.

Accies star Shaun Want (SNS Group)

"I've been here for 10-15 years and worked under a lot of different managers, so whatever happens I will be ready to impress whoever it is when that time comes.

"As far as we are aware there is nothing happening yet, but if it does we will be told.

"Our main focus is to be in every day, work hard and be ready for that first game.

"We will be the first to know so until then we just focus on working hard.

"Ranks has been taking things and it's been a breath of fresh air so far.

"Everybody knows Ranks and knows the type of guy he is.

"We all know what he was like as a football player - he was one of the fittest about - so he wants us on his level.

"It's not been an easy week but it has been enjoyable.

"The first few days were mainly running but we are starting to get the ball out now.

"We've had double sessions every day and we've been in the gym most days as well, so it's been tough but that's what you expect when you do pre-season."

Accies play their first pre-season game tomorrow at home to Northern Irish side Larne at New Douglas Park.

They then face a double-header on Saturday with an Accies XI facing Larkhall Thistle at 12pm and then a second side facing Newmains United at 3pm.

Want added: "There's nothing better than a good support behind us, encouraging us in games.

"They can be the extra man for us and it will be good to get them along for the pre-season games as we get ready for the competitive games."

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