Hamilton defender Michael Devlin says the players should take the blame for their seven-match winless run rather than boss Martin Canning.

Accies were dumped out of the Scottish Cup following a 4-1 defeat to League Two side Annan Athletic and drew 0-0 with St Johnstone to sit level on points with 11th place Kilmarnock.

Canning admitted he needs to turn Hamilton’s form around quickly but Devlin, who has been out of action with a knee injury since May, says it’s up to the players to help their manager.

He said: “We take full responsibility for how we have been playing on the pitch, it’s not the manager’s fault that’s our problem and we need to sort that.

“The players have full confidence that the coach will be able to turn the season around and we will do everything we can to make that happen.”

Champions and league leaders Celtic are up next in a fixture postponed from the start of December.

Last season Ali Crawford’s goal saw Hamilton claim their first win in Glasgow’s east end in 76 years.

Article by @christiewilmot