Hamilton star Andy Ryan: Nonsense to suggest players aren't behind John Rankin after Cove fightback

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Hamilton goal hero Andy Ryan dismissed claims from their own fans that boss John Rankin has 'lost the dressing room' after netting a last minute leveller in their dramatic 4-4 draw with Cove Rangers.Struggling Accies trailed 4-1 at New Douglas Park after a nightmare opening 55 minutes which saw Mitch Megginson bag a brace, Mark Reynolds net a header and Gerry McDonagh also strike for the visitors.That prompted the home support to turn on the manager, with cries of "sack the board" also reverberating around the stadium.But Accies produced an epic comeback as they added to Andy Winter's earlier strike through a Steve Lawson penalty and a double from Ryan.There was incredible late drama as Ryan's 89th minute leveller came from an indirect free-kick in the box, which was awarded after Cove keeper Kyle Gourlay held on to the ball for too long trying to time-waste.And Ryan insisted their late rally proves the squad, who climbed off the bottom of the Championship, are playing for their gaffer.He said: "Being one of the more experienced players in the squad and one of the voices in there, 'not playing for the manager' is a lot of nonsense."Every one of the players enjoys working under the manager."We are set up to win a game and it is on us when we go on that pitch."It's up to us to take responsibility."This shows we have character, we are playing for the manager and we are desperate to win games."Accies were staring at a sixth defeat in seven games before mounting a revival and Ryan says they must now kick on.He added: "I don't know how we can be so bad for 55 minutes and then turn like that for the last half an hour.