ALEX NEIL is ­determined there will be no false starts for Hamilton when they begin their campaign tomorrow.

Accies play their first competitive clash of the new campaign against Arbroath in the first round of the League Cup.

The tie at New Douglas Park comes just a week before the visit of Inverness Caley Thistle marks the club's return to Scotland's top tier.

And Neil is eager to get off to a flying start as they bid to avoid an early-season shock against Allan Moore's side.

He said: "It will be a good test for us on Saturday. You want to be at it from the off.

"But being honest, last year against Airdrie, and no disrespect to the Challenge Cup, we were looking at it as being part of the building block of pre-season and making sure that we were ready for the league games.

"Of course, we want to hit the ground running and win the game. But the league game the following weekend is the more important one for us.

"Hopefully we can play well and win the match.

"But we will be using this game to iron out any problems we might still have before the season starts."

After guiding his side back to the top flight via the play-offs last term, it has been a productive summer for boss Neil as he has shaped his squad for the big kick-off.

Accies netted 11 goals in their three friendly wins over Whitby Town, Spennymoor Town and Shildon on their trip to England last week.

Neil said: "I think we are looking in good shape. In the pre-season games we have had, I think we have performed well in most of them.

"The only one that was disappointing was the East Fife game but, other than that, I have been pleased.

"We had a good trip away to Durham with three good results, three good performances, and we managed to come through it unscathed in terms of injuries with everyone getting some game time.

"I just look at it in terms of the players getting minutes but you do want to perform well in the pre-season.

"You want to move the ball well and see that you are in good shape. But I don't read too much into the results.

"Last year we were undefeated in pre-season and then got beat by Airdrie in the Challenge Cup.

"What we have got to make sure is that, come the first league game, we are ready."

Neil has added five players to the squad which won promotion last term and is in the market for more ­reinforcements if the right players come along this month.

And the New Douglas Park boss is pleased with the group he has at his disposal ahead of their first competitive test.

He said: "The squad is the majority of players from last year and we have added a couple here and there.

"They have come into the fold really well and I am really pleased with the squad.

"We have got about 95 per cent of the squad in place, which is great for us because usually we are running around at the last minute.

"I wanted to start with a full squad, that was really important for me."