Brian Rice admits he’s relishing the problem of attempting to beat a brand new derby rival as he goals to take care of Hamilton’s stronghold over Motherwell within the fixture.

The Accies boss is unbeaten within the final 4 derby outings in opposition to the Steelmen – profitable three of them – however Saturday’s conflict would be the first expertise in opposition to new Motherwell gaffer Graham Alexander.

Rice expects a unique fashion from his counterpart having disposed of earlier opponents Stephen Robinson and Keith Lasley – who was in interim cost for Hamilton’s 3-Zero win at New Douglas Park final month.

Accies have fallen to the foot of the Scottish Premiership since their final derby success and the Steelmen are eight factors away from their rivals, having performed a sport extra.

However Rice believes they will stretch their run to a powerful 5 video games unbeaten once they deal with Alexander’s prices at Fir Park.

Rice, whose aspect’s conflict with Livingston final evening was postponed, mentioned: “The derby matches are particular, even with out the crowds. These video games simply really feel completely different and we’ve been fortunate sufficient prior to now few video games to have the higher hand.

“However with Motherwell bringing a brand new supervisor in, a brand new manner of enjoying and fairly a number of new gamers, it will likely be an attention-grabbing problem for us.

“I simply hope we will keep the shape we’ve confirmed in opposition to them just lately.

“We’ll take a look at the movies and do our homework, try to discover their weaknesses and their strengths, as I do with each workforce.

“However on the finish of the day it’s about how we carry out that issues.

“We’ve come out on high in the previous couple of video games and we’ll be seeking to preserve that going.”

Accies have gained on their final two visits to Fir Park, claiming a 1-Zero win in August and a 2-1 victory in December 2019, so it’s been a cheerful looking floor.

However Rice admitted it’s a venue he’s all the time been keen on.

He mentioned: “I like enjoying at Fir Park.

“I liked it once I was a participant, it was one of my favorite locations to play, and now I like going there as a supervisor.

“It’s a decent park, it’s often a great floor and when your document is nice there you get pleasure from going to those locations much more.

“We’re below no illusions, the previous counts for nothing in derby matches.

“It’s on the day, however I’m very hopeful we will come away with one thing once more.”

Key to a different Hamilton success is prone to be new signing Bruce Anderson.

The Aberdeen loanee has hit the bottom working with robust performances in a debut in opposition to Ross County and Sunday’s spectacular 1-1 draw with Rangers.

“Bruce has been a breath of recent air,” Rice enthused.

“He’s a penalty field participant and he’s added one thing completely different to us.

“He’s settled in actually shortly and I feel throwing him in immediately, he by no means had time to consider it.

“He’s a goalscorer and once I spoke to him I might sense the starvation from him.

“He was proper in in opposition to Ross County and Rangers and he’s carried out rather well up to now.”

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