Matt Kilgallon enjoyed the challenge of facing Celtic last weekend but he appreciates that Hamilton's next two games are much more important.

Accies visit St Mirren on Saturday with their hosts looking to leapfrog the Lanarkshire side after earning their first win under Oran Kearney against Hearts last weekend.

Martin Canning's side then take on Ladbrokes Premiership bottom club Dundee on Wednesday on Tayside, and Kilgallon is determined to use the chance to pull away from the bottom two.

The 34-year-old said: "It's great playing against Celtic and everyone like that but the gaffer and all the lads know these are the real big games for us. We are near each other in the league and it's all about pulling away from the bottom, and that's what we intend to do.

"We know how big this game is and how crucial it is for us. We have two big games coming up for us and the focus over the next five or six days is to be really at it.

"They got a great win and will be full of confidence. I'm sure they have been working hard on the training ground and it looks like some things are starting to work out for them. We have got to stop that.

"They have some good players who have hit a bit of form and we need to keep an eye on them and stop them playing."

Kearney has brought in several English free agents after taking charge and they have helped his team. Anton Ferdinand has added experience to their defence while Adam Hammill netted twice against Hearts and Simeon Jackson has also been among the goals.

And there are several familiar threats for Kilgallon to face.

The former Leeds and Sheffield United defender said: "I was at Blackburn with Simeon. He came for about three months. I know he's lively and he's a good player.

"He's a good lad, I got changed next to him in the changing room, so we had some good chats. It will be nice seeing him but no friends on Saturday.

"Hammill as well, I played against him back in the day. He was always a threat then and it looks like he still is now."