Alex Neil inspired by automatic promotion failure

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 18 May 2014

Hamilton Academicals player-manager Alex Neil vows to use his side's failure to clinch automatic promotion as inspiration in their Scottish Premiership playoff final.

Hamilton Academicals player-manager Alex Neil has vowed to use the disappointment of missing out on automatic promotion to the Scottish Premiership as inspiration in their playoff final against Hibernian.

Hamilton finished second to Dundee in the Scottish Championship regular season but will have another chance to reach the top flight having beaten Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership semi-final this afternoon.

A win in the two-legged tie against Hibernian next week would see the Accies promoted, and Neil is hoping that they don't slip up again having been handed a second chance.

"I was aggrieved that we didn't win the league and we have used that as motivation in terms of saying that we maybe blew that opportunity but now you have the second bite at the cherry," Neil is quoted as saying by PA.

"What you don't want to do is let it bypass you twice. You know how hurt you were after the first time and so let's make sure you don't have that feeling again.

"To get a crack at Hibs is great. We have had a great journey this season and I didn't want it to end today."

The first leg of the playoff final will take place at New Douglas Park on Tuesday before the return fixture at Easter Road on Saturday.