It has been rare to see the name of Hamilton Accies in the headlines after recent matches without reference to a bust-up appearing thereafter, and manager Martin Canning is concerned that his men may be picking up an unfair reputation.

Post-match handbags have now broken out after Hamilton’s recent matches against Ross County, Hearts and Motherwell, but Canning insists that his men have actually been the innocent parties, and have in fact showed admirable restraint in the face of some serious provocation.

He has reminded his men however that should things kick off again in today’s Scottish Cup fourth round Lanarkshire derby, they must maintain their composure and let their football do the talking.

“We spoke about it, staff and players, when we returned for training,” Canning said.

“I reiterated that we don’t get involved in things, we can’t start trouble - although in fairness, sometimes we can’t do anything to stop it.

“Obviously it can’t be helped if it’s moments like the Hearts game when we did nothing wrong and ended up in a mass confrontation. Same again in the Motherwell game, when we’ve done absolutely nothing wrong.

“I think on both occasions our players have handled themselves really well. When Darian MacKinnon got wrestled to the ground we could have reacted worse than we did and same goes for what happened to Dougie [Imrie] at Motherwell.

“The only game where we didn’t do ourselves any favours was against Ross County when one player, Ioannis [Skondras], took it too far. But even then, if you look back on that occasion, it was actually started by a Ross County player.

“I’m conscious we get an unfair reputation. I think our players have handled themselves very well when they’ve been provoked not to make a big deal of it.”

Of course, there will be Motherwell fans today for whom the mere sight of pantomime villain Imrie will be rage-inducing, particularly with many in the home end today unconvinced over his intentions when blasting the ball into the John Hunter Stand on his last visit to Fir Park.

But Canning has backed the man who will captain his side today to handle whatever treatment he receives on the pitch, or off it.

“He thrives on it but then Dougie’s used to it,” he said. “Everywhere we go he seems to get abuse from every set of fans - he’s the guy they love to hate.

“But you know what Dougie is like, he just gets his head down and works away. This season has probably been his best since I’ve been with him at Hamilton. He’s been fantastic, in every game he has played a big part whether it’s scoring goals, creating them or being a leader on the pitch.

“He is an angry wee man, even in training. That’s just his nature, he and Darian MacKinnon are the same and I was similar when I played as well.

“It’s just a competitive spirit, you want to win, and they’ve got it as well. That’s great for everyone in the dressing room because that commitment is what the club is all about.

“If you’re a player coming in here and see those two train you would know that’s the way I’ve got to go about my business or else it won’t be accepted. They set the standard, so they are both great guys to have around the place.”