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24 mins

Hamilton Academical 0-2 Aberdeen

More bad news for Accies as captain Brian Easton lands heavily after a challenge with Curtis Main and will not be able to continue. The stretcher is on for the experienced defender.

James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, SNS

Willie Miller
Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound

Image source, SNS

We've not seen much of Matty Kennedy but here he comes bombing forward on the left and stabbing a low cross into the danger zone. An Accies defender gets there first.

Willie Miller
Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound

Hamilton manager Brian Rice gets to grips with technology in the stand as he serves a touchline ban this evening.

* Reaching out to a younger audience with CB radio references.

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It's been all Aberdeen so far, but here comes Hamilton winger David Templeton haring in behind the visiting defence. He attempts a lob as goalkeeper Joe Lewis advances but gets it all wrong and the ball drifts high and just wide.

Niall McGinn with a free kick on the edge of the Accies penalty area but his disappointing delivery is nodded away by Alex Gogic.

Willie Miller
Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound

It looks like Matt Kennedy and Connor McLennan are being deployed as wing-backs for Aberdeen, with Niall McGinn supporting striker Curtis Main.

And away we go.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes explains his decision to start Curtis Main ahead of Sam Cosgrove.

"I've got every faith in Sam but he's still a young boy and we can't ignore the fact he's been a bit short and we've taken him out of the firing line," he tells BBC Sportsound.

"I'm sure he'll come on with a point to prove and he'll soon be back to scoring ways.

"We need to carry more of a threat in the final third and the only way to change that narrative is to get a win and score a couple of goals.

"We understand everyone wants goals and better performances but a win takes us third and a lot of other teams would be very happy with that. For me, the wins will come if we knuckle down.

"I'd rather work for a club where there is a demand, where there is pressure, rather than just ticking along."

Accies youth coach George Cairns is on media duties this evening.

"A win tonight would be great." he says. "It would set us up nicely for Hearts on Saturday."

Brian Rice is not the only manager having a go at the busy schedule, so is it time for a rethink on the winter break?

Using this platform as a completely unscientific benchmark, give us a thumbs up below to stick with the shutdown or a thumbs down to scrap it.

Unfortunately, we don't have a third thumb for play more midweek games at the start and end of the season, which might be what Rice is after...

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Brian Rice was also critical of the hectic fixture schedule, blaming the recent run of two games a week for a growing injury list.

"I know it is really difficult for the people who do the fixtures because of cup ties, international games, Europe, I understand all that," said the Accies manager.

"But to have seven games in 24 days in January into February is ridiculous and we are asking for trouble.

"We are playing when the weather is normally horrendous and in the summer time when the weather is half decent, we are not playing."

Hamilton Accies boss Brian Rice, still serving a touchline suspension for breaching rules on gambling, was this week calling for wind meters to be used in Scottish football after watching Hibs and BSC Glasgow play during Sunday's gales.

He called that Scottish Cup tie "a complete farce", adding: "The worst conditions you can play in is the wind and I think it has been proven.

"I can't believe in this day and age where we have goalline technology, VAR, all these tools to improve the game and we don't have a wind meter."

A look at this evening's forecast for Hamilton below suggests it's going to stay blowy, with gusts of up to 50 mph expected.

Accies are also on a run of five without a win, picking up just one point from their past four league outings.

They have conceded four goals in each of their last three home games but late strikes from both Celtic and Rangers gave recent scorelines a rather lopsided look following valiant showings from the hosts.

That one point came at St Mirren last Wednesday and was enough to lift them off the foot of the table but it could have been a whole lot better had Mickel Miller not slammed a penalty kick well wide of the target.

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Derek McInnes has led Aberdeen into the Europa League qualifiers in each of the past six seasons and won the League Cup in 2014.

However, fans have been less than impressed over recent weeks, with some jeers aimed the manager's way.

After tonight's game, the Dons host Celtic and take on Kilmarnock in a Scottish Cup replay.

"This is probably the first time he's felt really under pressure," said former Celtic forward Kris Commons on last night's Sportsound. "Three vital games and if he comes through, it can change his season around.

"If he doesn't get through in the cup and drops points against Hamilton, there will be more than just boos, there'll be some big, big questions about Derek McInnes's future.

"The Hamilton and Kilmarnock games are must wins."

Aberdeen legend Willie Miller acknowledged his former club were currently "underachieving" but insists McInnes has leeway.

"He's got enough credit behind him, the job that's done over the last seven years," he said. "Maybe a bit cautious at times but he's a very good manager. He should get some more time to turn this season round."

Image source, SNS