MacKinnon wants to secure place
Darian MacKinnon did not get back into the Hamilton team under ideal circumstances but he now aims to stay there.
The Accies midfielder was suspended for the goalless draw against Partick Thistle at New Douglas Park on the opening day of the season and started on the bench for the trip to Ross County last week.
However, he got his chance in Dingwall at the start of the second half when Chris Turner could not reappear after sustaining a grade one medial collateral ligament injury just before the break in the 2-0 Ladbrokes Premiership defeat.
Ahead of the visit of Dundee United on Saturday, MacKinnon said: "Obviously I was suspended for the first game and the boys did well against Thistle and the manager had to keep it the same.
"I got my chance to come on against Ross County and thought I did okay so now it is about trying to secure my spot again.
"You don't like to see any of your team mates being injured. I would rather get in the team other ways.
"But you need to look after yourself sometimes.
"Hopefully Chris comes back soon and pushes the squad on."
MacKinnon, 29, admits United, who fought out a thrilling 2-2 derby draw with Dundee at Tannadice on Tuesday night, are one of the teams he enjoys playing against most.
"They have lost three or four top players and have had to bring others through but they are still a good side who move the ball well," said the former Clydebank player.
"They play the same way, they try to pass the ball through the zones.
"When you go to teams like Ross County it is more of a battle and sometimes we don't match it but when you play United; they let you play and the best team usually wins on the day."
Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara is not reading anything into Hamilton's slow start to the season.
The Tangerines head for Lanarkshire looking to return to winning ways after throwing away a two-goal lead in midweek.
They face a Hamilton side who sit second bottom of the league table and are finding goals hard to come by.
But McNamara will not be lulled into thinking Martin Canning's men will be a pushover.
McNamara said: "There are no easy games. I know it's a cliche but it is true. There is not a big gulf from top to bottom and everybody can beat everybody else on their day.
"You have to be at your best and we have already seen that's the case over our first three games. That's going to be the case until the end of the season.
"I think it normally takes a good five or six games to get into your stride realistically."
United were disappointed to concede a last-gasp equaliser to Dundee but McNamara is refusing to be downbeat.
He said: "There were still positives to take from the derby. Our younger lads will learn from the experience. We have got a lot of young players in our team which is worth remembering.
"Look at Blair Spittal. He scored two great goals and is a fantastic talent. We are looking to move forward as a group and we are making progress.
"Hamilton is our next test and we will focus on ourselves and see what happens."
United striker Mario Bilate is still out with a hamstring injury. Callum Morris (Achilles) is still missing from the first team, as is Ryan Dow (groin). Dutchman Rodney Sneijder remains in Holland as he recovers from a virus.
Source: PAR
