Hamilton Accies skipper Scott Martin makes first outing since December as boss hails return of influential player

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Skipper Scott Martin made his first outing for Hamilton Accies since December after recovering from a hamstring injury ahead of schedule.The midfielder was set to miss the rest of the season after going under the knife in January to resolve an issue he picked up a month prior, but he has returned to the field in time to help with the club’s promotion push.Martin, 27, last played on December 13 in a defeat to Falkirk in Grangemouth and made his return against the Bairns on Saturday, playing the final 10 minutes of a 2-0 defeat at New Douglas Park.And gaffer John Rankin is delighted to see him back as Accies prepare for the Championship play-offs kicking off next month.He said: “Scotty was only allowed to play 10 minutes, that was his limit last Saturday.“We knew, no matter what way the game was going, he was going to get his 10 minutes because he is so influential and so important to this team.“To get Scotty on the pitch is imperative so we can get him going again and kick on for the play-offs.“He is experienced in these situations and we will need him going forward.“Getting him minutes wasn’t a gamble because it gives everyone around him a lift seeing him out there.“When you have somebody with that personality and impact it is great and, hopefully, we can get him ready to go.”Martin is likely to get more minutes against Montrose this Saturday when Accies travel to the Gable Endies in one of three remaining games before the end of the regular campaign.Alloa away on April 27 follows before a home clash with Kelty on May 4.The play-off semi-finals then await over May 11 and 18 and Rankin added: “It is going to be two tough games whoever we face in the play-offs so we just need to make sure we are ready and everybody is