John Rankin has hailed goalkeeper Ryan Fulton's rehab work - with the Hamilton Accies boss saying his No.1 looks 'shredded' after spending the summer in the gym.
The shot-stopper missed the final weeks of last season with a thigh injury, which ruled him out of the pivotal Championship play-off matches that led to Hamilton's relegation to League One.
But Hamilton's SPFL Trust Trophy hero, who has a year left on his contract at New Douglas Park, is well on the way to recovery now, and Rankin is thoroughly impressed by Fulton's physique.
He said: "Fults is doing his rehab. He feels stronger now and I saw him the other day with his top off...wow, he's certainly put in the work this summer.
"He is looking shredded, he's lost a bit of weight and if he is looking even more agile than what he was last season, then we've got some goalkeeper on our hands this season.
"The work he has been doing on his own this summer is a credit to himself and his professionalism.
"I'm delighted with the knick he's come back in."
Fulton joined Accies in 2017 from Liverpool and is set for his seventh season at the club, despite rumours he may be heading back down south this summer after an impressive campaign between the sticks.
Rankin is delighted he remains at the club and said: "It's impressive that we have managed to keep hold of him in this window.
"He will always have admirers and the way he played last season, I think he was the best goalkeeper in the Championship last season.
"For us to finish where we did (second bottom) and me to say that about him, it tells its own story.
"He pulled off some incredible saves and his performance in the (SPFL Trust Trophy) final alone was incredible.
"Fults knows what we think of him and he is hugely important to us
"We've not had any contact from anyone about him and he is pushing on with his rehab to be ready for the start of the season."
Accies are in pre-season action tomorrow, with two games for fans to enjoy as the club look to get game time for the entire squad.
They face Blantyre Vics at Castle Park at 12pm and then travel to Newmains United for a 3.pm kick-off at Victoria Park.
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