BY BEN McNICOL
Brian Rice hailed "ugly and aggressive" Hamilton for their display in Dingwall as they moved four points clear at their rivals at the bottom of the table.
The Staggies had over 70 per cent possession in the clash, but Accies ran out comfortable winners as goals from Ross Callachan and Scott Martin sealed an important three points.
It cost County boss Stuart Kettlewell his job, with the County board sacking him after full-time.
But Rice was delighted with his side's showing, which saw them bounce back from last week's 4-0 defeat at home to Hibs.
He said: “It’s a fantastic result, a very good and strong performance.
"It was Hamilton-like performance which I asked for before the game, being ugly, aggressive, getting in their faces and keeping a clean sheet.
"We did all of them today and scored two very good goals.
“I know the strengths of Ross County and we knew we had to defend our box well today and we all done that well today, including the goalkeeper.
"We’ve been there [bottom of the table], adrift a wee bit and it galvanises you and I’m sure it will galvanise Ross County as well because they are a good and strong team.
"They’re having a little difficult patch but they’ll come through that.
“We need to make sure we focus on the team above us and try and catch them and that’s the sole aim.”
Hamilton have certainly turned a corner in recent weeks and will now be looking to back up Saturday’s success when they face Livingston on New Douglas Park on Wednesday evening.
“It doesn’t matter if you play Livingston home or away, you know that you’re going to have a tough, tough game," Rice added.
“I’ve told the boys to enjoy the result tonight, but also to be prepared for Wednesday.
“From 5.10pm my mind's focused on the next game and what we can do to get a result.
“We’ve got to concentrate and try to take something to make today's game mean something.”
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