HAMILTON manager Martin Canning insists Saturday’s ill-tempered Ladbrokes Premiership draw with Hearts was an opportunity missed, even though his side picked up their first point at Tynecastle in 37 years.
The visitors’ hopes of ending a run of 14 straight defeats in Gorgie were enhanced after 35 minutes when Hearts right-back Jamie Brandon collected a second yellow card for elbowing Antonio Rojano. Despite the numerical difference, Hearts went ahead in the 47th minute when Jamie Walker swept a stunning free-kick into the top corner.
The visitors levelled in the 69th minute when Xavier Tomas headed in David Templeton’s corner and were denied a late winner when Hearts goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin made a great save to deny the Frenchmen a second.
Hamilton have now gone six games unbeaten in a run that has seen them beat Rangers and also draw with Aberdeen and Hibs, but Canning was disappointed he did not leave Edinburgh with all three points.
He said: “We had gone behind and it is not easy to play against 10 men, especially when the atmosphere has gone the way it had but it does feel like points dropped if I am being honest.
“The importance of three points is huge and although we are picking up points and we are unbeaten in six games, we want to win games.
“So there is a bit of frustration that we haven’t managed to get all three points. But given our form here, I’m not going to sit here and be too disappointed.”
Canning disagreed with his Hearts counterpart, Craig Levein, who claimed that referee Bobby Madden “lost control” of the game.
“When I watch it back I think the big decisions in the game he got right,” said Canning.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here