Martin Canning will take his place in the Hamilton dugout to face Celtic on Sunday one year on from Accies’ shock win over the Hoops.

Canning was part of a brilliantly-marshalled defence that day last October as Hamilton shut out the champions to claim a famous 1-0 win.

Now the manager of the club, he can reflect on quite the year since that landmark win put Accies on the Premiership map.

“It's been a journey since then,” he admitted.

“There was obviously a big transition period after Alex moved on. Results didn't go as well as I'd hoped initially and it was a bit up and down.

“Thankfully we are now on an up and we have started the season well again.

“I didn't have much experience when I took over and we lost a couple of players, but I'm mentally strong and I think you need to be given what I went through.

“It was a difficult run but in my head I knew there was a potential for that to happen. It is in the past now.

“I'm fortunate to have the backing of a good board. It was a big decision for them to give me the job in the first place.

“They backed me well and during that period they were nothing but supportive. They have been the same ever since.”

With the ship now steadied after a difficult start to managerial life for Canning, Hamilton go into Sunday’s clash in confident mood after two wins on the bounce.

“Whatever happens, our season won't be defined by results against Celtic,” Canning said.

“Hopefully, if we relax, go and enjoy it then we can get a good result.

“Beating Motherwell and Kilmarnock in our previous two games sets us up nicely.

“We need to go out and do our own job first.

“We need to play to our potential and hope Celtic don't.

“They are the top team in the league, but if they have an off day you never know.”

Celtic have lost high-profile goals to set-pieces this season, and it’s a weakness that hasn’t escaped the attention of Canning.

“It's something we look at every week.

“I spend hours the night before games looking over set-pieces and free-kicks and anything we can try and do.

“It is something I will do again and if I can see something we can exploit we will look to go and do it.”