McGovern interest nothing to be concerned about for Hamilton boss

Admiring glances from elsewhere could leave most managers sweating at the prospect of losing their star assets but not for Hamilton Academical boss Martin Canning.

With the Accies comfortably en route to achieving the boss’s pre-season target of Ladbrokes Premiership survival, a number of players at New Douglas Park have been linked with moves elsewhere.

The likes of James McArthur, Stephen Hendrie and even former manager Alex Neil have swapped South Lanarkshire for the English Premier League in recent years, suggesting that the club is an excellent stepping stone.

And while the latest interest for one of their players comes from a side in the Ladbrokes Championship, the fact that it is Hibernian isn’t lost on the Hamilton gaffer.

Goalkeeper and captain Michael McGovern has played a vital part in helping the club up to fifth in the top-flight, and with just six months left on his contract he’s apparently on Alan Stubbs’ radar.

“Michael has come here, done well and now clubs are talking about him,” Canning told the Evening Times.

“It is no surprise teams are interested. When you perform to the level he has on a regular basis then teams will be looking at you.

“He is also a great pro. His attitude is second to none and nobody works harder on the training ground.”

While Canning didn’t hint at standing in his way should McGovern opt to move to pastures new in the summer, it would be a surprise if the man in charge didn’t strive to convince him to stay.

The Northern Ireland international has been ever present and will see an excellent season as the perfect way to lead into the Euro 2016 campaign.

Next up for Accies is a run of games that could see them solidify their top half claims.

They don’t have to play any of the four teams currently above them in the table until they meet St Johnstone on January 16.

First up is a fixture against a Ross County side who are not particularly strong on their travels.

The Staggies haven’t won on the road in the league since a 4-0 victory over Kilmarnock in August, their only away victory this term in the Premiership.

Hamilton are 6/4 shots for victory that would increase their grip on a top-half spot, and you can expect the man attracting glances from elsewhere to be at the heart of things.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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