Archibald offers Canning advice
Partick boss Alan Archibald has told opposite number Martin Canning that getting a sudden chance can be the best way to launch your managerial career.
Canning continues his stint as caretaker Hamilton manager at Firhill on Wednesday night against a man who was in a near identical situation two years ago.
Archibald was an integral part of Jackie McNamara's Thistle team when Dundee United came calling for the manager in January 2012.
McNamara and assistant Simon Donnelly's exit saw Archibald effectively hang up his boots and take over the reins, soon getting the job on a permanent basis before leading the Jags to the First Division title months later.
Now Canning, who is suspended for the Scottish Premiership match, has to quickly adapt to management following Alex Neil's departure to Norwich.
When asked whether getting thrown in at the deep end helped him, Archibald said: "It did and it will help Martin as well.
"I can totally relate to it. Martin has a similar background to myself, taking the under-17s and 20s, similar to Alex as well.
"I know what he's going through now, his phone will be red hot and he'll have a lot of things to manage but I'm sure he'll be ready for it.
"Nowadays, when you get to your mid 30s you are ready to become a manager.
"Hopefully Martin will get the job and I'm sure he will do well.
"The good thing is the dressing room wants Martin to get the job and they will have his back. They know what they are getting from him and that's one big thing in his favour.
"The club will want continuity and Martin knows the club so it's probably a good suit."
Archibald is two years into his role but still finds the transfer window a frustrating period as he struggles to add to his injury-hit squad.
Archibald said: "I thought we would have had players in by now but we have missed out on a couple of players we wanted. Clubs change their minds, they wait on other players to be released so they can get them in.
"It's a bit like a property chain, you just hope for one move and then there to be a domino effect when the whole thing clicks into place. That's what often happens at the end of the window.
"We have had to throw young players in but you don't want to rely on them too much and hamper their development. A lot of the injuries have come in the same position, whether it's full-back or midfield. We just have to get through it."
One of the young players who has come to the fore is 19-year-old midfielder Declan McDaid, who played 90 minutes as Thistle lost 2-0 at St Johnstone on Saturday.
The player has impressed with his creativity and he believes his breakthrough vindicates his decision to leave home town club Morton in the summer of 2013.
McDaid said: "Sometimes I look back but I never regret coming here. It was always a good decision because look where Morton are now and look where I am now, playing in a first team in the Scottish Premiership, so I'm glad I made that decision."
Stephen O'Donnell has joined the list of injury problems facing Archibald.
The full-back went off against St Johnstone with an ankle knock to join midfielders Gary Fraser (illness), Sean Welsh (bone brusing) and Christie Elliott (knock) on the doubtful list.
Midfielder Stuart Bannigan is suspended and full-back Jordan McMillan is still unavailable amid a club investigation.
Hamilton midfielder Grant Gillespie insists the players have no problem taking orders from team-mate Canning.
Gillespie admits he and the rest of Accies squad are already used to taking orders from the big defender.
He said: "Canzo has been here for as long as I've been here and knows the club inside out.
"He was really good pals with Alex and has used that to his advantage, learning from all his inside knowledge, so I think he is the right man to take us forward.
"None of us have a problem with him moving from being out team-mate to our boss.
"Canzo was the captain, so that made him kind of like the gaffer on the pitch anyway. He was already bossing us about, so in that sense it's not too big a change.
"We handled the transition when Alex became boss just fine so I'm sure we will manage this one as well.
"Canzo's in charge now and it's his decision which matters now. We just need to get on with it."
Canning will be in charge of Hamilton when they travel to Partick on Wednesday night hoping to avoid losing three games in a row for the first time this season.
Accies are also without injured duo Andy Ryan (groin) and Ziggy Gordon (knee).
Source: PA
