John Rankin is aware his old club are favourites to win their Premier Sports Cup group, but tells his side not to lose focus
Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin says Hearts are favourites to win their Premier Sports Cup group, but will make sure his players don’t underestimate anybody else.
Accies kick-off their Group E campaign at Stirling Albion on Saturday, before hosting Hearts at Broadwood on Tuesday.
Rankin’s side then make the trip to face last season’s drop rivals Dunfermline at East End Park, before closing their group at home to Dumbarton on Saturday, July 26.
Rankin said: “The games will be competitive.
“Hearts will be overwhelming favourites, they’re a big club and they’re expected to go into the next round, and you’ve got ourselves, Dunfermline, Stirling and Dumbarton.
“I don’t want to speak about Hearts and nobody else, as if we’re paying them more attention than anybody else – it’s a group, at the end of the day.
“No matter who you’re playing, it’s always the same amount of points that are available.
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“The thing for us with the Hearts game is that we’ll probably get a big crowd at Broadwood, which the players will look forward to playing in front of – but in regards to the teams and the way we treat them, they’ll not be any different.
“At this stage of the season you’re looking to try and test yourselves against good teams, which ultimately we will be doing, and we’re looking forward to that.
“We’re looking forward to different challenges, different games that we’ll come across at times this season.”
Hamilton’s ‘home’ games against Hearts and Dumbarton were going to be played at K-Park, but a window in the redevelopment of the Broadwood pitch means they can be played at the Cumbernauld stadium.
Rankin said: “We’ve come here at the beginning of the season and we’re getting used to the surroundings and environment that we’re now working in, so it’s an added bonus that the games have been taken away from K-Park and coming here.
“We’re delighted the two games are here, it certainly makes a big difference and gives the players that bit to look forward to, when you know you’re going to be at home, rather than moving between two stadiums.
“The pitch hasn’t been lifted yet, so there’s a window within that, and we’re able to play the two games.”