Hamilton boss Brian Rice says he can handle the pressure of a relegation dogfight - because it's nothing compared to other things he's seen in life.

Rice was a witness to the devastating carnage of the Hillsborough disaster during his playing days at Nottingham Forest.

He was met with further tragedy in 2005 as a coach when Craig Gowans, one of the youngsters he was developing at Falkirk, died following a freak training-ground accident.

And despite going ten games without a win, Rice says a poor run of football form is incomparable.

“They’re tough moments,” he said. I’ve seen a kid die on a training pitch and been at the Hillsborough disaster, they’re the real tough moments.

“In a difficult run of games, you draw on everything you’ve learned. I speak to experienced managers I trust, speak to good friends and come in every day with a smile on my face and ready to work, that’s how I deal with it.

“The work we do here is all for the benefit of the club and community, because when we do well everyone associated with the club does.”