Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin has hinted that new players and a first-team coach will be brought in over the next few days, as he told fans to fasten their seatbelts for his journey into management.
The former Dundee United and Hibs midfielder was appointed head coach to replace Stuart Taylor yesterday, having been brought in as assistant in December.
And he told Accies TV: “We’re looking to bring in some players, and hopefully we can do that in the next few days.
“Hopefully in the next few days there will be people and players to excite people, and people to drive players that are in here.
“I think that’s important, and hopefully we can do that.
“It’s a positive thing, pushing others to be at their best, and that’s what we need to have in here.”
On a potential assistant, Rankin said: “It’s massively important to me, having the right guys round about me and the players. I know what we would like to do, we’ve already started working on that, so hopefully we can continue that over the next few days.
“It needs to be someone who can be influential, help people learn, and bring the right enthusiasm with them.”
Rankin says he intends to bring energy and enthusiasm to the job, and wants players to have fun.
He said: “You would expect energy from me in anything I do, lots of endeavour and there will be smiles on people’s faces. There will be enjoyment.
“I’m trying to create an environment where people love doing what they do, and even when it’s not going well they still love trying to make it better.
“That’s going to need to be a focal point of it, but it’s one that we need to build, develop, and try to make as best we can. But the first game of the season can’t come quick enough.
“I’m really looking forward to it. Put your seatbelt on, it’s going to be a good journey, and I’m excited about it.”
Rankin revealed he was sounded out about the appointment over the weekend, and jumped at the chance.
“It was a case of ‘let’s see how far we can get this’, but I have to say, over the pre-season overall, the players have been great with me,” he added.
“That was probably one of the convincing factors, of how good a relationship I have with them.
“I’m not coming in blind. I know the individuals that are in here, I know the players, what we need, so that’s a head-start.
“Over the past two-and-a-bit weeks when we’ve been doing pre-season I know which level they’re at.
“I’ve really enjoyed it so far, and it’s an opportunity that when it was presented to me, it was one I couldn’t turn down.”
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