Stuart Taylor says a bounce recreation with Ayr United yesterday has his Hamilton squad in nice fettle forward of Saturday's conflict at Kilmarnock.
And the Accies head coach admitted "the quantity of 15-year-olds operating about was nice" as quite a lot of Academy starlets received very important expertise in opposition to a robust United outfit.
Taylor takes his crew to Ayrshire on Saturday to face Derek McInnnes' Championship title hopefuls and Accies have been delighted to get minutes within the legs in a uncommon bounce recreation, which have been virtually non-existent throughout the pandemic.
Taylor revealed: "We performed a bounce recreation on Tuesday in opposition to Ayr United and it was a very good train for the squad.
"Loads of the gamers received minutes, which is one thing we have been delighted with. It will get the lads match minutes versus coaching, which is admittedly good.
"Getting minutes in opposition to one other aggressive facet was good and it was achieved rather well.
"One other good side to it was we received a great deal of the younger youngsters in and received them concerned in it, which was sensible.
"That is one thing we'll look to do going ahead, getting the children concerned in these kinds of video games for subsequent season.
"It was actually refreshing to see all of the younger youngsters enjoying and doing nicely within the recreation. It was an ideal expertise for them.
"Sam Nicolson performed and we had Gabriel Forsyth, Jared Lyons, Chris McGinn, Cammy Could, numerous them. All of them got here in and did rather well and it was nice.
"Ayr United had a robust crew out in order that they have been enjoying in opposition to skilled gamers, which is what we have been seeking to do, to get them as a lot expertise as they presumably can.
"The quantity of 15 year-olds operating about and getting that was sensible."
Gamers who did not characteristic included Jamie Hamilton, Miko Virtanen and Joe Hilton, who all stay out injured. Hilton, who suffered a grade two MCL (medial collateral ligament) tear, will likely be out for 4-6 weeks and has gone for a scan on his knee.
Skipper Brian Easton did characteristic within the match, although, as he seems to get his place again within the beginning 11 for Saturday and winger Lewis Smith is again in coaching after a chilly.
Taylor added: "Miko remains to be out and Joe has gone for his scan on his knee and he'll clearly miss Saturday's recreation.
"Jamie had tweaked his groin final week and we're him being again in coaching this week.
"Whether or not Saturday comes too quickly for him, we'll want to attend and see.
"However Lewis is in competition for Saturday."
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