CLARKE IS PINCH PERFECT

Clarke the inspiration behind Rugby Park revival says Rory

RORY McKENZIE admits he used to stare in awe at the television whenever Steve Clarke appeared on Match of the Day.

Now the Kilmarnock midfielder reckons the Rugby Park outfit have pulled off a real snatch of the day.

The 24-year-old is still pinching himself in disbelief as to how Clarke is now manager of the Ayrshire club.

He admitted the former West Brom boss has brought the feelgood factor back to the extent it has even reignited his family’s passion for the club.

Killie made it seven home wins on the spin for the first time in 39 years as Clarke’s 10-man side fought back from 2-1 down to beat Dundee 3-2 at Rugby Park on Tuesday night.

Teenager Iain Wilson came on for his first involvement since September and hit a winner three minutes from time to leave the Ayrshire side outside the top six only on goal difference.

McKenzie also says he can finally hold his head up high whenever he is out and about in the town as Clarke has given the fans a team to be proud of.

Having won just four home games last season the midfielder says the turnaround under Clarke is nothing short of incredible and this is the best time he has known at the club.

He said: “Sometimes I just look at the boss and think, ‘I remember him from the TV talking on Match of the Day and now he is here at Kilmarnock.’ The players listen to every word he says.

“The experience he has can only benefit us. I was out for lunch last Sunday and some of my family are Killie fans. It felt strange talking to them about a team that is winning on a consistent basis.

“Usually they ask me how I am getting on and the stock reply is not too good but in the last two months all we have been talking about is winning matches. That is the first time that has happened in my time here.

“We haven’t looked back since the Hibs game in October. We lost 3-0 at home but the fans applauded us off and stayed to cheer us as we had put in a decent performance.

“The stand was even full for the Scottish Cup game against Brora last Saturday, the manager has brought the feelgood factor back.

“It just keeps getting better and better. It is everything – the training, games on a Saturday, we can see the improvement for ourselves.

“It is the way the manager goes about his business at training as we know if he is around then everything is elevated and you just want to impress him.

“We have a very good squad of players all of a sudden and we know if we are not bang at it then we will not play on a Saturday.”

McKenzie thought Killie would find it hard to beat scoring a last-minute equaliser against Rangers at Ibrox four months ago. However, they pulled off a miraculous win against the Dark Blues on Tuesday.

Trailing 2-1, they looked down and out when Gary Dicker copped a second yellow for a shocking challenge on Roarie Deacon just before the hour.

But they refused to give in and showed they have guts and character allied to plenty of skill to rescue all three points. Kris Boyd equalised in 74 minutes before 19 year-old Wilson slalomed his way through the defence to hit a fine finish off the post for the winner.

It was an amazing result for Killie, especially if you consider Clarke was without the services of influential midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu who was injured and suspended Northern Irish winger Jordan Jones.

McKenzie insists the fightback and win typified the club under Clarke and that Dicker’s sending off remarkably turned the game in their favour.

He said: “The way things have been going of late just shows we have real belief in the side.

“When Gaz got sent off there was a momentum change. Dundee thought it was too easy and the game just changed.

“We were the better side for the last half hour and the crowd were right behind us which was a really good feeling.

“Ibrox was similar because we scored in the last minute to earn a draw but this was much better as we won the game and it tops off a fine few weeks for us.”

Meanwhile, McKenzie revealed he was left sporting a thick lip courtesy of Dundee midfielder Paul McGowan’s flailing arms which earned him a ribbing from his team-mates when he got back to the dressing room.

He added: “My swollen lip happened after a clash with McGowan and the lads have been taking the mickey out of me a bit as it hurts when I smile.”

McKenzie may have came off second best in that joust but the temporary pain was all worth it as he and Killie had the last laugh.

ANTHONY HAGGERTY