HARDEST TIME OF MY LIFE

Hamilton relegated but boss Rankin is proud of every one of his players

- BY GORDON PARKS

JOHN RANKIN admits the hell of Hamilton's drop from the Championship has been the darkest chapter of his life.

The Accies boss delivered an emotional account of a week in which his teams relegation was confirmed after an appeal to get a 15-point deduction lifted failed due to club rule breaches being upheld.

After the punishment was rubber-stamped Rankin had to ask his players to perform against Falkirk on Friday night. And he spoke of the pride and the pain of recent days which will trigger dire dressing-room consequences.

He said: “The last two weeks have been horrendous, it's been probably the worst experience of my life so far.

“I woke up on Friday morning ~ although I didn't because I didn't sleep - and I knew Id get a performance out of the players.

“They have been with us every step of the way and have never downed tools.

“The challenge a couple of weeks ago was making sure we were safe, could we finish in seventh place?

“In my table, we've done that. The news on Thursday night, families and jobs are at risk, we don't know what's happening.

“I have no idea what the future holds for the players, some are out of contract.”