Rangers v Hamilton Accies match preview

Following Motherwell's holding of Celtic last week, the Rangers find themselves at the top of the table as they face the Hamilton Accies on Saturday at New Douglas Park.

After an early season swoon Billy Reid's side is in the midst of a six match unbeaten streak and relish the opportunity to pay the 'Gers back for the 7-1 beating at Ibrox when the score was unquestionably ran up with three goals in the final ten minutes. While the Accies manager has made note of his sides improvement since that match and their short-term goals of finishing in the top half of the table, they are highly motivated to see the Rangers out of first place.

On the injury front Walter Smith is without Pedro Mendes, Nacho Novo, DaMarcus Beasley and Lee McCulloch for the match. The 'Gers manager complimented the opposition prior to the match, saying:

"I think when you look at Hamilton at the start of the season they were in a situation where they had just achieved two very consistent seasons in the First Division.

"They had just missed out on promotion two years ago and then got it last season so they were coming into the Premier League in good shape.

"That showed in the early games of the season when they were full of enthusiasm and achieved some good results.

"There was a period where they dropped down again but the changes that Billy Reid has made have been significant ones and it has been a terrific bit of management by him.

"His changes have been really good ones and he has got them into a position where they looking to push for a top six position which would be a fantastic achievement.

"We went one down the last time we went to Hamilton so we know that Saturday lunchtime is a very big date for us.

"I have been impressed with a lot of their players - and not just the young ones. I think you have to look at the team overall and they have done very well.

"It's their teamwork and togetherness that has got them through and as I said Billy deserves a lot of credit."