HAMILTON Accies have always had a reputation as a battling, committed side – you wouldn’t fancy spilling Darian MacKinnon’s pint – but it could well be the addition of some extra finesse that saves their season. Martin Canning’s side will put their Premiership status on the line this week when they face up to Dundee United in the play-offs over two legs.

It has largely been a season to forget with Hamilton toiling near the foot of the table for long spells but a commanding 4-0 victory over Dundee on Saturday served as a timely pick-me-up going into their biggest two matches since they came up via these same play-offs three years ago.

At the heart of that display was a man who not so long ago came very close to hanging up his boots for good. Watching David Templeton torment defenders and play with the sort of carefree attitude that belied his team’s precarious predicament, it was almost hard to believe this was his first competitive start for almost two years.

After previous club Rangers were unable to pinpoint the exact nature of Templeton’s injury, the 28 year-old took it upon himself to launch one final medical investigation. Had it failed to unearth anything definitive, he would have retired there and then and looked to “get a real job”.

Thankfully, a London specialist was able to diagnose the problem and Hamilton are now reaping the benefits. After initially signing a short-term deal, the winger has now committed himself to spending a further year at the club. He admits it comes as such a relief to be finally back playing again.

“Mentally the last two years have been horrendous to be honest,” he admitted. “For about 13 months I didn’t know what the problem was. Last summer I was actually going to retire. Then I went to see Andrew Williams, a specialist in London, who put a camera in my knee and found the problem straight away.

“There was a tear in the deep portion of the medial ligament. It took too long to figure out that that’s what it was but at least I managed to get it sorted and I’m enjoying it now. Before that every time I tried to come back it felt as though I was tearing it all over again.

“I tried injections and all different kinds of stuff so to eventually get to the bottom of it was a huge relief. I was going to have to get a real job, just like everyone else who’s forced to retire. Thankfully, though, it didn’t come to that.”

Canning took Templeton off after an hour’s work, presumably with a view to keeping him fresh for the two games ahead.

“My last start was against Peterhead for Rangers [in August 2015] so it is good to finally be back. I was a little surprised to start although I thought I did feel I had done okay when I came on against Ross County last week.

“I feel I did well again although it is up to the gaffer whether I start again on Thursday. Hopefully I can play my part in helping them stay up and then kick on for next season.

“I actually signed a contract after the game the other night so my head is now settled. I can look forward to coming back in next season and hopefully we will be in the Premiership. We are gutted we haven’t stayed up automatically but we still have a chance.

“We have a job to do and we want to stay in the top division. For us it’s massive to be playing against the Old Firm, Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs so we need to stay up.”