THE Inverness Caledonian Thistle players acknowledged a standing ovation from supporters last night but would not be coaxed back out of the tunnel to prolong the celebrations.
In a campaign which has taken the Highland side into contention for a place in Europe the earlier events at New Douglas Park had already acted as the encore - an own goal from Gary Gillespie and a neat strike from Nick Ross securing a fifth win in succession. It is a result which also keeps Inverness within four points of league leaders Celtic.
Such success has at times seemed undervalued since both Aberdeen and Dundee United have each been measured as title contenders this season, with the form enjoyed by Inverness - they have lost just three times in 12 matches - has still to attract the interest of a wider audience.
They were given a grander stage yesterday, a crowd of 5089 having been embellished by the offer of 10p entry as Hamilton Academical honoured the decade of service offered by former manager Alex Neil and departing assistant Frankie McAvoy. Those who attended would eventually come to witness an Inverness side capable of putting on a show; the fans laughed - not least when one errant clearance came within inches of landing on an unsuspecting steward's napper - and they cried out, as the visitors struck twice in the second half.
"We have a good bunch of players at this club who all want to play good football. That is a good recipe," said Inverness manager John Hughes.
He can speak in platitudes having become accustomed to the relative success of his side. His counterpart at Hamilton, Martin Canning, is instead still in his first act as a manager, the previous three matches having been overseen on an interim basis and without any lasting successes; that run of defeats culminating instead in a five-goal humbling by Partick Thistle. The 33-year-old has assumed the role of player-manager on a permanent basis - Canning restored himself to the centre of defence yesterday following a ban - as Hamilton preferred continuity to the appointment of a coach who was not already au fait with how the club operates.
That ambition has been challenged at first by the form of the first team but also the enduring presence of scouts at matches. West Ham United appeared to abandon a £2 million bid for Stephen Hendrie and Hamilton rejected an offer for Ziggy Gordon earlier this week, while there has also been reported interest in Mickael Antoine Curier from clubs in England.
The impact of transfer business on a squad places a new demand on Canning, but he found little comfort among more familiar tests yesterday. The Hamilton player-manager was culpable in providing Inverness with their first chance of the second half when his casual pass invited Billy McKay to whip a shot at goal but Michael McGovern parried well.
McKay has become a significant figure in this Inverness side and has scored 10 times this season, although his role in his side's goals at New Douglas Park was disguised. The Inverness striker first looped a pass towards Graeme Shinnie, whose his shot rebounded off both McGovern and Gillespie before nestling in the net, then the Northern Irishman provided the driving force for a second goal.
He collected possession and drove forward into space before skelping a pass across the edge of the penalty box to Ross Draper, whose lay off was dispatched neatly by Ross. "Getting the first goal is so crucial as it allows you to go and play. It is probably even more crucial for us given the run we're on at the moment," said Canning.
Defeat yesterday was prolonged when Inverness goalkeeper Dean Brill twisted a knee on the touchline in added time and required treatment and a stretcher. It brought a moment of uncomfortable drama for the Highland side but the show must go on.
Hamilton Academical (4-2-3-1) McGovern; Gillespie, Canning, Tena, Hendrie; Routledge, MacKinnon (Docherty 83); Redmond (Brophy 68), Andreu, Crawford; Imrie (Longridge 81)
Not used Hill, Watson, El Zubaide, Antoine Curier
Booked Imrie 62 Inverness Caledonian Thistle (4-2-3-1) Brill (Esson 90); Raven, Warren, Meekings, Tremarco; Draper, Shinnie; Ross, Tansey, Williams (Doran 78); McKay
Not used Vincent, Devine, Horner, Polworth, Christie
Booked Warren 13 Draper 62 Referee B Colvin Att 5089
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