KYLE Gourlay is making the most of his foray as Hamilton’s number one and believes being written off is only aiding his team in their quest for Premiership survival.
The 22-year-old has impressed since deputising for regular number one Ryan Fulton in goal, making a number of impressive stops against Celtic on Boxing day and helping his side draw a blank at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday.
READ MORE: St Johnstone 0-0 Hamilton: Brian Rice calls for respect
While opponents St Johnstone recorded 28 attempts on target, many of them failed to test Gourlay with poor finishing seemingly the theme. Their inability to hit the target was not helped by the inclusion of seven defenders in the Hamilton starting eleven.
Hamilton had the game’s best chance within the opening two minutes when Nathan Thomas broke through on goal; and while three points may have flattered them slightly it would have not been undeserved based on their defensive efforts.
“I think the boys did really well. It is a hard place to come,” said the former Elgin City stopper on the game.
“It was a good point on the road. We’ll take that every day of the week. Just not getting beat is important, in every game.
“I am just enjoying getting a run of games. They don’t come along often.
“Ryan {Fulton} has been unbelievable for us. I am just doing the same thing, working hard and enjoying my football.”
The match brought another game without a goal for Accies, meaning they’ve now failed to score in four of their last five matches. Against Celtic they failed to register a single effort on target, as was the case in their previous home encounter with Livingston.
After the match at McDiarmid in midweek however, Hamilton manager Brian Rice sent a strong message to those who don’t give his side the respect he feels that they merit.
“We never get it {respect}," Rice bemoaned. "That’s my personal point of view and it frustrates me at times because I know how much my lads give.
“We defended well as a team I think we had the best chance of the game in the first minute. But I know what I’ll read tomorrow. St Johnstone this and that because we’re Hamilton. But it just inspires my team."
Opposition manager Callum Davidson regarded the match as a missed opportunity, however: “It is two points dropped with the way we played," he conceded.
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When asked if that lack of respect fuels his side, the keeper replied: “I think so. Every single game we work hard and we know what we are doing.
“There’s a game plan and we stick to it as much as we can. The manager sets us up brilliantly.
“We probably don’t get the credit we deserve but we are here and picking up points. We are doing alright.
“We are at a brilliant club where people do look at us. But we know what we are about and that’s the main thing. Eventually we will get the credit we deserve.
“Why don’t we? I’d love to know that. But the boys enjoy that pressure.
“A lot of people write us off and we enjoy proving them wrong.”
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