Hamilton Accies getting Broadwood go-ahead will spark recruitment drive, says John Rankin
The Accies gaffer is hopeful of adding fresh faces now there is certainty over where they will play this coming season
Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin hopes that now their move to Broadwood has been rubber stamped by the SPFL, it will speed up his summer recruitment drive.
The Lanarkshire side have been in limbo over the last month or so with uncertainty hanging over their controversial switch from New Douglas Park in Hamilton to their new temporary home in Cumbernauld.
But last Thursday's decision by the SPFL to approve their lease with North Lanarkshire Council - which required Accies to pay a year of costs upfront - has provided some much-needed certainty about the club's future and Rankin says it will now pave the way for him to bring in new players.
He said: "We definitely have players to add. We've spent a lot of time on recruitment this summer, speaking to people.
"We know it is a bit different, playing in the league below. It is not ideal and it hasn't been ideal with the stadium.
"The first question on people's lips has been: 'Where are you going to play?'
"So I think the fact we are now able to train and play at Broadwood now, brings a sense of happiness and there is a buzz about it.
"The players I have been speaking to now know where we will play and train, it takes that uncertainty away and gives us the chance to go and get the right bodies in now. We want to make the squad stronger and be as strong as possible coming out of the window."
Rankin returned from a family holiday last week - admitting he had to lock his phone away in a safe to escape all the outside noise - and put his players through their paces on the Broadwood pitch before it is ripped up shortly to be relayed.
A new pitch will be installed over the next few weeks, leaving Accies to train on the outside pitches at the venue and forcing them to play their 'home' games in the Premier Sports Cup next month at K-Park in East Kilbride.
Rankin said: "We started on the pitch at Broadwood last week. There is a different feel and setup to it, but the freshness of it caused a bit of a buzz.
"So far it has been good. We know the pitch is getting lifted, but we've managed to get a feel of the surroundings.
"We've got some players in on trial and we are looking to make sure the boys are in the best shape they can be.
"Everybody is back and refreshed. You live football 24/7 when you are here and even when you go away on holiday you still think about it, so you have to try and put your phone in the safe and just leave it there, enjoy the time with your family.
"It shouldn't be that way where your family end up second - and a lot of time in football that can happen - so it was very valuable and important to have that time away.
"It was good to get some time in the sun to recharge the batteries, but now we are ready to go again."
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Daily Record
5 hours ago
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