Michael Devlin wants to witness 'ratty' Accies display against Dundee
Michael Devlin wants Hamilton to get ratty with the opposition to ensure their Ladbrokes Premiership survival.
The New Douglas Park side's comprehensive 3-0 defeat by Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday, which left them with two wins from 17 games, kept them in 10th place in the table, four points ahead of Kilmarnock, who are in the relegation play-off zone and nine ahead of bottom side Dundee United.
Speaking before the home game against Dundee on Saturday - the last before the split - the 22-year-old urged a return to the scurrying qualities which have kept Accies in the top flight in recent seasons.
He said: "We need to get back to basics and do what this club built its success on. That was being horrible to play against.
"We were like rats all over the pitch, we were in people's faces, and we had good quality up the pitch.
"We have probably got away from that intensity.
"We just need to get back to that and if we do, we will be fine.
"It is massive for us to get the win. It gives us a bit of momentum going into the last five games which, I know it's a cliche, are all cup finals for us.
"The reality is we are fighting for survival and every point is a prisoner. Dundee United could have gone six points behind us against Partick (but lost) and that is nothing, it's a two-game swing.
"I don't think anybody should be in any doubt that we need to start winning football matches and we need to start winning them soon.
"Dundee have improved in the years they have been back in the Premiership. Paul Hartley has done a good job there, he has recruited well and they have good quality."
Defender Lucas Tagliapietra returns from a one-game suspension but midfielder Grant Gillespie remains out as he serves the second game of his two-match ban.
Player-manager Martin Canning is hoping striker Carlton Morris recovers from an ankle knock.
Meanwhile, out-of-contract Dundee defender Thomas Konrad insists he has no reason to panic about his uncertain Dark Blues future.
The 26-year-old German's deal expires at the end of the season, but he is due to hold talks with Hartley in the coming weeks.
And he reckons he will have no problem finding a new club after his encouraging spell in Scotland.
Konrad, who has netted twice during 68 outings for Dundee, said: "I don't know yet what's happening about next season. I'm speaking to my agent. My agent is doing things for me. We will see if I go back to Germany or stay in Scotland.
"He's speaking to a few clubs and I will speak to the gaffer about it too because I like it here in Dundee. I'd love to stay here, but we will see. You never know what will happen in football.
"It definitely might come down to where we finish in the league as bonus money could come into how much of a budget the manager has. But I will speak to him about it and my agent and decide what is best for me.
"I don't have any headaches worrying about getting a good club. I think I've done well these last two years here.
"The gaffer said to wait and see what happens and that's fine by me as I can look at what kind of offers I get. There is no pressure at the moment as there is still six weeks left of the season.
"I am settled here and have made a few friends in the team. I enjoy being here with these guys so I would definitely stay here, but it depends on many things.
"However, the challenge of going somewhere new doesn't scare me. Absolutely not. I could always go back to Germany. I think there is a few teams in the second Bundesliga I could fit in with. I played there before when I was younger. I'm five years older now. I'm definitely a better player now.
"You have to be much tougher to play as a defender in Scotland than in Germany.
"I've learned so much, not only from playing alongside guys like Darren O'Dea and Julen Etxabeguren in games, but in training every day I'm up against some of the best strikers in the country with Greg Stewart, Kane Hemmings and Rory Loy. You learn everyday from these guys."
Loy (ankle) is a major doubt for the crucial trip to Hamilton. Hemmings has overcome a dead leg while Paul McGinn, Nicky Low and Kostadin Gadzhalov are back in contention after shaking off their recent knocks.
Source: PAR
