Brian Rice is excited about the prospect of unleashing his own ideas with Hamilton after stepping into the hotseat for the first time at the age of 55.

Rice moves from St Mirren assistant boss to become Accies head coach two days after Martin Canning's departure as manager.

The former Hibernian, Nottingham Forest and Falkirk midfielder has been a number two to Ian McCall, John Hughes, Richie Foran, John Robertson, Alan Stubbs and latterly Oran Kearney.

But he has been hankering after a lead role and his breakthrough came in the form of his previous relationship with recently-appointed Hamilton chairman Allan Maitland – who was Clyde manager as Rice wound down his playing career at Broadwood.

"It's only in the last two or three years that I've decided I want to be a man in charge of my own destiny," he said.

"After working with quite a lot of managers and gaining all the experience I've got, I've got ideas I want to try. Some managers won't let you try that. They're maybe too afraid or they've got their own ideas, which is perfectly acceptable.

"But I've been thinking about it now for the last two or three years. I've got ideas and I wanted to try them, simple as that.

"It's very exciting for me to say 'I've been thinking about this for a long time'. This isn't just a spur of the moment thing.

"I've drawn things up in the house, sitting thinking to myself 'what would I do if I was in charge of a club?' This is my chance to do it now."

Canning lost his job despite keeping Accies in the Premiership for a record fifth consecutive season and with the club leading a three-way fight to avoid the drop.

And Rice is "very confident" he can steer them to safety.

"I've been through this situation before with other clubs," said Rice, whose debut comes at home to fellow strugglers Dundee on Saturday.

"I've worked a long, long time in Scottish football. I'm sure if we get it right on the training pitch and transfer that on to the pitch then we can stay up.

"I don't think it, I know it. I'm very confident. All the work will be done on the training field. That's where I do my work. I love coaching. I've been a coach now for 27, 28 years.

"The experience I had, especially working with John Hughes for 11, 12 years, was just like managing, that sort of relationship. There'll be a change of course but I don't think it'll be too big a step."

Maitland insisted the time was right for a change and backed Rice to give fresh impetus to the players.

"His experience for a start, his quality as a coach and his knowledge of the game in Scotland makes him the outstanding candidate for me without any doubt," the former Accies boss said.

Rice will work under the guidance of director of football Allan McGonigal, who was quietly installed in the new role several weeks ago.

Maitland said: "We've had (former chairman) Ronnie MacDonald doing all the work here, working with Martin or Alex (Neil) or Billy (Reid), in fact working with myself when I was the manager. I want to spread that load."

Guillaume Beuzelin is continuing in his role as assistant.