Not Just Scotland's Responsibility

Last updated : 04 April 2015 By ed_ScottishFitba

C:WindowsTempphpB5AD.tmpHamilton could welcome back left-back Stephen Hendrie for today's game against St Johnstone following a hand injury. Accies could also field Darren Lyon after the teenager served a two-game ban, following his red card against Motherwell, in under-20s games but the midfielder also suffered a broken nose at Fir Park and may not be utilised. Dougie Imrie is suspended while defender Lucas Tagliapietra (ankle) and young forward Andy Ryan (groin) remain out. Lee Lynch and Jon Routledge left the club during the week. Striker Jason Scotland has told his team-mates they all need to take responsibility to rectify their poor goalscoring run. Accies have only scored three goals in 10 games and have not won in 11 since player/manager Alex Neil left for Norwich. That form has put them in danger of slipping out of the top six at the crucial moment, and they will not be able to catch St Johnstone before the split if they lose on Saturday. As well as losing Neil's influence in midfield, Hamilton saw both of their top goalscorers, Tony Andreu and Mickael Antoine-Curier, depart soon after. The pair had 21 goals between them and Andreu was top of the Scottish Premiership scoring charts. Hamilton have only scored in one game since the Frenchman left for Norwich in a £1million deal, with Scotland on target along with Dougie Imrie, who is suspended for the visit of Saints.

Scotland, who has scored three goals in 21 appearances this season, said: "It's been difficult. We all have to chip in. Obviously I take responsibility because I'm a striker and I get paid to score goals but as I tell some of the boys in the dressing room, Tony was a midfielder, not a striker. He was leading the league in goalscoring so the midfielders need to chip in as well. Hopefully everyone can contribute and we can start getting some more goals."

St Johnstone midfielder Simon Lappin has trained all week after recovering from a knee injury so could be considered to play a part in today's game. Frazer Wright and Dave Mackay have also returned to training following injections on niggling injuries. Steven MacLean could miss out on the artificial surface at New Douglas Park following previous knee operations. Saints are looking for a fourth consecutive top-half finish.Defender Brian Easton said: "That was our aim at the start of the season, to get top six again and take it from there. A win on Saturday could secure that for us but we know it's not going to be easy."