Saints v Hamilton Academical Preview
Last updated : 31 March 2006 By Stuart Gillespie
In other words, if Saints win whilst County and St. Johnstone don't, it's over. Whilst we're helped by the fact that the two teams are playing two sides in the relegation dogfight, rather than ones with nothing to play for, the chances are that we'll have to wait another week to secure the league. I reckon either all three teams will win, or all three will drop points. To be honest, if we still have a lead in double figures by tomorrow night I'll be relatively pleased, as it means we can wrap up the league next week.
Anyway, on to tomorrow's match at Love Street against Hamilton. Craig Hinchcliffe and Ian Maxwell are definitely out for Saints, whilst there are doubts over the fitness of Mark Corcoran and Hugh Murray. Saints boss Gus MacPherson is hopeful that one of the two will be fit enough to start, with the clever money being on Murray seeing as Corcoran went to hospital after last week's game. Kirk Broadfoot should also be fit enough to play.
Charlie Adam will be back from suspension, which is excellent news as it was fairly obvious the team missed his input last week. he has been in fantastic form in his last few matches, and obviously wants to go back to ibrox in the summer with two medals to boast about, compared to the grand total of none won by this season's Rangers squad. John Sutton has recaptured his old form, banging in five goals in his last two outings, and it is likely that he'll be partnered by Billy Mehmet again. This leaves Stewart Kean and Brian McGinty on the bench if we need to liven up the attack during the game.
Hamilton have nothing of note to play for, although they could still sneak second place in the league if St. Johnstone and Ross County collapse, or give up when we finally seal the league. They've done well this season after being involved in the relegation battle last year. The made the final of the League Challenge Cup, only to lose to us, and got to the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup. If they could get a regular goal scorer in for next season then they have a decent shot at finishing second, several million points behind cuddly, fairytale Gretna.
We've managed to notch up five league wins in a row, so are due a defeat. Even worse, hamilton are in an injury crisis, and teams facing these always seem to do well for some reason. A 1-0 win for the visitors is my prediction, with former Saint Scott MacKenzie scoring a rare goal to secure the three points.
