Connor Smith admits hearing the Hamilton Accies fans signing his name has given him a huge boost and he’d love to repay them by taking the club back to the Premiership.
The midfielder netted his first goal for Accies since sealing a loan return from St Johnstone earlier this month when he netted their second goal in a dramatic 3-3 draw at Raith Rovers last week.
And he has been blown away by the reaction to his return to New Douglas Park, where he spent a six-month loan spell in the 2022/23 campaign.
That time he tasted relegation in the play-off finals, but hopes Accies are heading in the other direction this term.
He said: “It is definitely great to have the support of the fans. This move has been a long time coming. I wasn’t playing at St Johnstone. I think I went eight games in a row without even coming on so I was getting a bit frustrated.
“I told my agent that Hamilton was my best choice for a loan move and I just wanted to go somewhere I could play football.
“When I saw all the messages when the signing was announced, it was great.
“All the fans were delighted for me to come back and now they are all signing a song about me. It is a massive boost for a player.
“The main target is to get us up to the Premiership. I feel anyone in the league can win it and it is probably the best it has been in a while.
“We want to get promoted and for myself, I just want to score and create as many goals as possible. Get my assist tally up and score as many goals as I can.”
Smith also admits being reunited with gaffer John Rankin was another big draw, having worked with him during last Accies stint and when his boss was coaching in the youth setup at Hearts.
The 22-year-old added: “I know John, not just as Hamilton manager but as a personal friend, and he was obviously my manager when I was at Hearts.
“He has always been good to me and I’ve been good for him so we have a close relationship. That was a big thing for me.
“I was here for six months last time but knowing I’m here for the season, I focus on Hamilton and push to try and help the team to win the league.”
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