Martin Canning tells fans to take '˜reality check' after loss

Martin Canning: Ignores abuse. Picture: SNS

A handful of supporters directed sustained vitriol towards manager Canning after the final whistle sounded in their 1-0 Lanarkshire derby defeat by Motherwell.

Hamilton have now gone 11 home matches without victory, but they remain two points ahead of second-bottom Kilmarnock and ten away from bottom club Dundee United.

Accies were also booed off at half-time, seconds after Louis Laing had lashed the ball into the roof of the net from close range after a corner, but Canning insists he does not take notice of the dissent.

“No, you don’t,” the 34-year-old said. “I’ve had it throughout my career as a player and obviously as a manager as well you will get it.

“But I think when you take a reality check you will realise who you are supporting and where we’re at.

“We’re a small club punching above our weight but everyone here is fighting as hard as we can to get points on the board and keep ourselves in the league. That was our target at the start of the season.”

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee was delighted to see Laing enjoy some plaudits. The 22-year-old defender admitted during the build-up to the game that he considered hanging up his boots during a run of just two starts in five months before winning his place back last month.

“Louis has done brilliant,” McGhee said. “Louis Laing is going to be a good player for us. I’m delighted he has emerged from the difficult place he was in.

“And not only that, to get a winning goal in a local derby, people remember those things. He could be an important player in the future.”