JASON SCOTLAND is pleased Hamilton are reaping the rewards of their long-term thinking after Accies romped to their fourth SPFL Premiership win on the spin.
Alex Neil's side have made a stunning start to the new season and sit second in the standings after their 4-0 rout of Ross County on Saturday.
Scotland added the shine to a polished performance from the top-flight newcomers, who had the points sewn up when Mickael Antoine Curier netted a quickfire double from the spot after Martin Canning opened the scoring just after the break.
Boss Neil has stuck by the squad of kids and experienced campaigners that fired Accies to the Premiership last season and veteran forward Scotland reckons the Lanarkshire model is the one to follow.
"Most of the youngsters have been here for four or five years, like Ali Crawford, Grant Gillespie," he said.
"They've been around for some time. It's not a surprise they are doing so well because they have played together for a number of years. It's like chemistry.
"All the players know what each other is doing and their strengths and weaknesses. It's no coincidence that we are doing so well because we've been together for so long.
"It's the opposite to what some clubs do, but we can't really think about the other teams. We just think about our own form, and we know we can get better. Other teams will try to do quick fixes, but the gaffer doesn't have a big budget so we always have players come through the ranks, like James McCarthy.
"There are always good players coming through the academy and doing well. It's still the case."
Having been tipped by many for relegation just a few weeks ago, Hamilton have proven the doubters wrong with a series of superb showings following their opening day defeat to leaders Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Accies are already 12 points clear of struggling St Mirren and managerless County and have given their ambitions of maintaining their Premiership berth a huge early season boost. But Scotland insists Neil's side won't get carried away by their fine form as they head into the international break in high spirits.
"It's early doors," he said. "We don't want to shoot ourselves in the foot and say we are looking for higher.
"Our focus is still to be safe at the end of the season and that's still our main focus. We have done well in the last four games but it's still our main focus to stay up.
"I've been in football long enough to know that anything can change.
"Teams will be looking at Hamilton and think it's not a guaranteed three points, they will know they have a game on their hands.
"We just have to keep plugging away and doing well. Come December, if we are still in this position, we will look at it in a different way."