Hamilton 1 - 0 Inverness: Brewster has players' backing, insists Munro

Published on Sunday 18 January 2009 21:52

INVERNESS Caledonian Thistle skipper Grant Munro insists the players are not being affected by the fans' growing antipathy towards manager Craig Brewster.

At Hamilton on Saturday, Munro conceded the first-half penalty which allowed Accies midfielder Simon Mensing to consign the Highland club to their seventh straight Clydesdale Bank Premier League defeat and leave them rooted to the bottom of the table.

Not for the first time in recent weeks a section of the travelling support were heard calling for the head of manager Brewster.

Caley face three of the top four – Hearts, Celtic and Dundee United – in the weeks ahead which could cut them adrift and leave Brewster's position in jeopardy. However, Munro insists that the players are not being caught up in growing off-field tensions.

"Far from it," he said, before defending the fans' right to have their say. "We had great support and we didn't give them anything to cheer, so they are entitled to say what they want, there is freedom of speech. He (Brewster] picks the team, but the players on the park are not doing it. It wasn't a bad performance from us even though the conditions weren't great for both sides. But the players are backing the manager and we need to get our performances back to where we want them to be.

"We are not powerless. I believe that things even themselves out over the season, so hopefully things will turn, starting next week at Tynecastle.

"St Mirren went on a four-game run and got out of the relegation zone so if we get a couple of wins under our belt we can bring teams back to us.

"We need to do it sooner rather than later, but as long as we are not too far detached we have a good chance."

Hamilton defender Mark McLaughlin looked forward to continuing Accies' good recent form when they play Kilmarnock next week with captain Alex Neil and Richard Offiong available again after suspension.

He said: "There's not a lot between us and Kilmarnock. They are a good side and we know it's going to be a battle when we go down there.

"Alex has been a miss for us. He had a knee injury and then picked up a suspension, but he is a massive player for us. Joel Thomas came in and did well against Inverness, but Richard gives us that pace up front and can get a goal out of nothing.

"So they are two great players for the club and it will be great to get them back."