Hamilton manager John Rankin QUITS minutes after Scottish Cup exit amid concerns over payment of player wages at troubled Lanarkshire club

Hamilton Accies manager John Rankin last night stepped down from his post after revealing that he had to chase the club over the payment of player wages.

Rankin, who has been at the crisis-hit Lanarkshire outfit for four seasons, told the players of his decision in the wake of a 4-0 Scottish Cup defeat to Airdrieonians.

Accies, who have suffered point deductions and had two directors declared not fit and proper to run the club, now face finding a boss for their next match against Stenhousemuir.

It is another blow to the League One side that has staggered from crisis to crisis with chairman Jock Brown quitting, citing ill health, and Police Scotland investigating an allegation of fraud. Accies also posted a £1.8million loss in their latest accounts.

‘I am delighted with the backing of the players and the fans. But they are no longer my players,’ Rankin said on leaving the dressing room at the Albert Bartlett Stadium. ‘I have taken a decision, I am going to step away. I have just spoken to the players.

‘The reason being that yesterday I was chasing payment from the club for players who have young families, mortgages, Christmas coming, things to look forward to.’

It is understood that the players were paid just before midnight on Friday. If those payments had not come, then the players might not have played yesterday.

Rankin acknowledged that his squad had felt anxious before the payments had been made and he said: ‘That cannot just continue.’

He added: ‘If I have to dig holes, build a road or paint walls, I will do that. But I cannot be a front and ask people to follow me when I don’t know what direction we are going in.

‘I don’t mind taking heat when things are not going right and I am prepared to lead people. But right now I don’t know where I am leading them.

‘It is a big, big problem for them and for myself. This is not a heat-of-the-moment decision.’

The SPFL has deducted points and fined the club for failing to pay HMRC dues and player wages, providing misleading information on the ownership of their stadium, and other breaches including paying players while under a transfer embargo that dictated the club could only sign amateurs.

The Scottish FA has ruled that owner Seref Zengin and director of football Gerry Strain are not ‘fit and proper’ persons to run a club. Strain is appealing that decision.

Rankin thanked his players and the supporters for their backing after announcing his decision.

‘I have worked as hard as I possibly can and so have the players and the staff. We have never downed tools,’ he said.

‘This is a purely family decision. I have put my wife and family on hold and I don’t know what lies ahead.

‘I don’t know where it leaves the club. I don’t know who is leading the club. That’s the hard part. I looked at the players yesterday and their eyes were empty because their bank accounts were empty.’

Hamilton confirmed Rankin’s departure in a club statement last night, saying: ‘Hamilton Academical Football Club can confirm that John Rankin has resigned from his position as first team manager.

‘Everyone associated with the club would like to place on record their thanks to John for his professionalism and commitment during his time here.

‘Few managers in British football will ever have to endure the pressures, challenges and seemingly constant uncertainty that John has faced while leading his team. Throughout it all, he carried himself with integrity, courage and an unwavering commitment to the players, staff and our supporters.

‘While we are really saddened by his departure, we fully understand and completely respect his reasons. John has always acted in the best interests of the club, often putting the club before himself, and he now leaves with our total appreciation and admiration.’