Hamilton Accies star Oli Shaw postpones honeymoon as boss hails commitment to pre-season

Daily Record

21-06-2025

The striker got married last week but has swapped the chance of sunny climes for Cumbernauld this June
Newly wed Hamilton Accies star Oli Shaw has turned down the chance of a honeymoon this summer to make sure he hits the ground running this season, boss John Rankin has revealed.
The former Hibs and Kilmarnock striker tied the knot with wife Michaela at the luxury Achnagairn Castle estate in Inverness last Saturday, with Shaw posting images from the big day on his Instagram page.
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But Shaw has swapped the chance of sunning himself in some exotic destination for Cumbernauld, as the Accies players work up a sweat in pre-season training at their new Broadwood home.
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The club have upped sticks from New Douglas Park after a fallout with the stadium owners and had a two-year lease at Broadwood approved by the SPFL on Thursday.
Shaw, who netted 16 goals in 44 appearances last season, reported for training this week and Rankin heaped praise on Mr and Mrs Shaw for their dedication to Hamilton Accies' bid to make an immediate return to League One.
Rankin explained: "To keep Oli at the club for this season is huge.
"He got married on Saturday there and I offered him an extended holiday to go and spend some time with his new wife, but he knocked it back.
"He said he will go on his honeymoon next year because he wanted to come back in and train.
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"That sort of commitment from day one is important and it shows the type of character that Oli is.
"Oli missed the first few weeks of pre-season last season and I think he's felt he's always played catch up because of that.
"But this season he is determined to start the season quickly. That speaks volumes for him, but also the commitment his wife has shown to him.
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"Most people only get married once so for her to give up her honeymoon this year for Oli to come back and train is huge for us.
"Hopefully it helps him start the season well and he hits the ground running.
"Oli is happy at the football club and he stressed that to me in the summer. Oli is loving his time here, he loves scoring goals and he loves the players and environment he is working in."
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With Accies homeless over the summer as they awaited official confirmation from the SPFL to sanction their controversial move to Broadwood, Rankin revealed he had to meet his players in hotels up and down the country to thrash out deals to keep them at the club.
A handful have moved on, with the likes of SPFL Trust Trophy hero Reghan Tumilty joining St Johnstone, while skipper Sean McGinty activated a relegation release clause to join Lanarkshire rivals Airdrie.
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Rankin added: "There were a lot of players who were out of contract and decided to move on, and we wish them all the best.
"Some who were in contract and had relegation clauses decided to take them, others didn't.
"I met all the players individually when the season finished. Obviously, we didn't have a stadium so we were meeting in various hotels up and down the country.
"I had some tough conversations with some players that wanted to stay but didn't want to play in League One, which I totally understand. We are talking good servants to the club.
"But there are people who are really committed. Oli is one of them. His goal return last season was a big thing for us."