Scottish football: Hamilton boss Alex Neil says his side now command respect
Monday 6 October 2014 17:57, UK
Hamilton boss Alex Neil is refusing to set his sights too high after Sunday's dramatic 1-0 victory over Celtic lifted them to the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
A goal from Ali Crawford silenced the majority of the 42,000 crowd at Parkhead and ensured the champions endured their worst start to a league campaign for 16 years.
Despite the victory, which extended Accies' unbeaten run to eight games, Neil insists his players remained grounded with the focus purely on the next match against Aberdeen.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ he said: "I wouldn't say the players are pinching themselves today as the one thing I try to instill in them is belief.
"If you don't believe you are good enough to go and play and win these games then that is going to be a problem.
"So the one thing I tell them is they are good enough and we believe in them and allow them to go and showcase their talents."
Asked if the victory at Celtic Park had him dreaming of a place in Europe next season, Neil said: "We have not reassessed our goals.
"Until we are mathematically safe then we will evaluate where we are. The only thing on my mind is trying to beat Aberdeen next Friday.
"But you never know in football. If you work hard, have good players and are organised then you never know what can happen.
"After Sunday I think teams will give us a bit more respect. They will think Hamilton are a good side and you are going to have to play well to beat them.
"And that is how we will approach every game. We will give our opposition the respect they're due. However, when the whistle goes we will go and try and impose oursleves on them... and try and win."
