Hamilton Accies boss doesn't see red over sent off star amid 'get stuck in' demand

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Boss John Rankin won’t criticise Jamie Barjonas for being sent off against Queen of the South, and says he demands a competitive edge from his Hamilton players.Barjonas became the sixth player to be red-carded this season when he collected a second booking with six minutes remaining of Saturday’s 0-0 draw at New Douglas Park.While Rankin was annoyed that the first caution was for dissent, the gaffer says he wants his stars to get stuck in.He said: “I want my teams to be competitive, aggressive, and to be hard on the pitch, and decent guys off the pitch.“I’ve had a go previously for people coming out of tackles and different things, and I want my team to be competitive.“I don’t want them getting booked for dissent, and that’s obviously Barjo’s mistake at the weekend, but I’ve got no problem whatsoever with him getting sent off for what I think is a fair challenge.“I think it’s a harsh second yellow.

The first one I have no dispute with, but it’s a learning curve for Barjo, because he has to realise what referees you can and cannot talk to.“I want my midfielders to be competitive, I want my players on the pitch to be competitive.“Barjo has been ever-present for us this season and loses that on Saturday at Annan, because he’s suspended, but he’s also holding a double hernia operation just now, because he’s prepared to play through the pain barrier.“So that shows that we’re all trying to pull together in the right direction.”Rankin added: “It’s not just the starting 11, it’s the full squad, and it’s an opportunity now for somebody else to come in, stake a claim, and give a really good account of themselves.“It could be a chance for somebody to get into the starting 11 and stay there.“But it has to be done in the right way,