Hamilton v Queen's Park: Stop Spiders duo to end losing streak, says Accies boss

Hamilton boss John Rankin feels they will need to stop Queen’s Park duo Dom Thomas and Zak Rudden if Accies are to end their losing streak on Saturday.

Rankin’s men have lost three Championship clashes on the bounce and welcome the Spiders to New Douglas Park for their first home game in over five weeks.

The Hampden outfit have enjoyed wins in the Scottish Cup, SPFL Trust Trophy and a weekend win over Airdrie in the league to go into the game on a high and Rankin says stopping their danger men will be key to Accies stopping the rot.

He said: “We are expecting a team high in confidence and one high in form right now as well.

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“Like every game in this league, it is a tough challenge but they’ve got good forward players at the top end of the pitch that we will need to stop.

“It is no coincidence that their form comes off the back of having Dom Thomas fit again and Zak Rudden through the middle.

“Zak is a real presence and has played at this level for a long time now and is very experienced. He won the league with Dundee, went to Raith last season and got them into the play-offs and did well there.

“Dom has also played at this level for a long time, has real quality and a lot of experience, so we know they are a big part of what Queen’s Park do, because they are such good players.

“We need to make sure that we stop them and be solid defensively to eradicate the mistake we made last week.”

Rankin is relishing being back in front of a home crowd and added: “We’ve not been at home for five weeks so it has been a long time and we are looking forward to it.

“We’ve lost a few games in a row now for the first time this season so we need to get back to winning ways quickly. We’ve had some good results at home this season and being back at home we need to be confident.”

Accies remain without defender Dylan McGowan after he dislocated his shoulder a fortnight ago and Rankin said: “I feel as if every time I see Dylan, he’s in a classroom because he’s always got his arm up as if he is looking to ask a question.

“Wherever he is he is running his arm up a wall to try and move and stretch his shoulder. It is still tender and it’s not healing as quickly as hoped. He will be back soon but he is still feeling a bit of pain.”