RONNIE MACDONALD insists Martin Canning was always his number one choice for Hamilton boss - no matter who applied for the Accies top job.

After three games as interim gaffer, the 33-year-old was confirmed as Alex Neil's successor yesterday and will take charge for the first time as manager against Inverness Caley Thistle this afternoon.

Hamilton received more than 60 applications for the position, with former Rangers star Rino Gattuso the most high profile candidate to throw his hat into the ring.

But there was only ever one man who would get the job after vice-chairman MacDonald made his mind up in the hours after signing off Neil's dream switch to Norwich earlier this month.

He said: "We weren't interested in what's out there. I like to know what I'm getting with people - and I'd worked with all of these boys before.

"I knew what they were doing, I knew they were desperate and hungry to come to Hamilton and get their start within football, if you like.

"So I must say that some of the CVs were outstanding and excellent. But we always want to do things our way.

"We weren't tempted by any of the applications because we hadn't asked for them.

"I'd given Martin the job. There was no sense in talking to anybody else.

"Some of the CVs with a view to the academy job are maybe interesting and we might talk to them again, because we're going to revamp that.

"But it was important to get a real strong team around Martin, because he's going to keep playing.

"Last year we had Alex playing and managing, Frankie was helping him but was also head coach of the academy.

"So we were running along on empty, virtually. I didn't want that happening again, that's why we've put this strong group of people around Martin."