HAMILTON manager Brian Rice is looking forward to a reunion with Alex Gogic at Easter Road on Friday night – and reckons that while the combative midfielder doesn’t play the most eye-catching role on the pitch, he is every bit as important as those that grab the headlines.
The Cypriot, who swapped Accies for Hibs this summer, has been gaining plaudits for shoring up Jack Ross’ midfield and even earned a call-up to his national team following his impressive start to life in Leith.
That debut had to wait after Gogic returned a false positive Covid test and had to self-isolate as a result, but Rice is in no doubt about the calibre of the former Hamilton man.
“He was a centre half when I came in. I put him into midfield and he just took off,” Rice said of his old player. “The good thing about him is that you knew what you were going to get.
“Every day in training he was the same as the way he plays. He has joined a big club in Hibs and he deserves everything that comes his way.
“He will be a key player for Hibs. They are very cavalier and Jack identified they need someone to shore it up. He is not going to score two or three goals a game for you but he will stop other teams scoring.
“There are certain positions on the pitch where you get unsung heroes - guys who do a great job for the team.
“We love to see flair players and goalscorers but some go about it in a quiet way like Alex. He was great for us and I would like to think we were very good for him.”
Hibernian will represent a difficult challenge for Accies on Friday night but Rice remains quietly confident of leaving the capital with something to show for his team’s efforts.
He pointed out that in near enough every Hamilton fixture this season, the two sides have been separated by a single goal – and believes that his side’s ability from set-pieces could make the difference against Ross’ men.
“Apart from the Old Firm games it has been a steady start,” Rice said. “There has been no more than a goal in every game apart from Rangers and Celtic. It is very tight and we have started ok.
“I was talking to the players about the small margins. I don’t think teams will run away with games. There will be the odd one like Kilmarnock beating Dundee United 4-0 but most will be tight.
“It is all about those fine margins so that is why you have to take your chances.
“It’s well documented that set-pieces play a major part in football these days. We all practice corners, free kicks and try different things.
“The most important thing is that you have someone who is going to put their head in amongst boots, knees, fists and be brave enough to go and head the ball.
“But they can only do that if you have someone who can put the ball into that area. You need someone who can deliver and someone or two or three or four who are brave enough to put their head on the ball.
“We are fortunate we have a couple of boys who are stupid enough to go and do that.”
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