HE’S THE TALK OF THE TROON
KILLIE Rory: Killie fans keep stopping me in street where I stay to gush about gaffer Clarke BOSS HAS RESPECT
RORY McKENZIE revealed strangers are stopping him in the street to discover how Kilmarnock have gone from strugglers to top-six strivers under Stevie Clarke.
But the midfielder insists it’s simply a mix of self-belief and respect that has worked wonders in the Ayrshireman’s four-and-ahalf months at Rugby Park.
Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Hearts provided plenty more evidence of their ambitions to finish in the top half after a remarkable run of only one loss in 14 games.
Eamonn Brophy’s third-minute strike was cancelled out by Steven Naismith but Killie showed the same attacking flair and defensive stability that have been the hallmark of Clarke’s blistering reign.
McKenzie admits it’s a far cry from the shambolically disorganised side on show under last boss Lee McCulloch, which failed to win one of their first eight Premiership games.
The 24-yearold said: “When the manager came in we were shipping goals left, right and centre because we just weren’t set up well enough.
“He has come in and given us a solid foundation – we are tough to break down and that shows.
“Every game we go into we think we will win. Around Troon, where I stay, it isn’t even just Kilmarnock fans – everyone is talking about the manager, the team and how well we are doing. It’s a nice change.”
Such has been the scale of their reversal in fortunes Clarke is being tipped as a serious candidate for SPFL Manager of the Year.
And McKenzie said: “I believe he deserves to be mentioned. I don’t want to get ahead of myself – I’ll probably get in trouble for this – but the job he is doing I can’t think of who else there is. He has to be up there. “I stay locally so I get people asking what the manager’s secret is every day. I was talking with Kris Boyd about that in the car the other day. It’s difficult to put your finger on – the training isn’t rocket science. “It’s different from previous managers but it’s just the intensity, the aura he has around the place. “When he is there everyone is looking up to him and trying to impress. It leads to a good session. “Look at the squad we have – there are really good players on the bench, anyone could get into that squad. The main thing is the way he conducts himself. He has everyone’s complete respect.”
The risk the SFA could nick Clarke has passed following the appointment of Alex McLeish.
And McKenzie said: “We didn’t really speak about it but we would be lying if we said we didn’t think there was a real chance Scotland were going to come calling. I would imagine that’s tough to turn down.”
Tuesday’s Tynecastle drama included Jamie MacDonald’s lastminute penalty save to deny Kyle Lafferty in what is now a habit of heroics according to McKenzie.
He said: “Jamie saved one at Ibrox and when the big occasion is there he steps us. He has done that the whole time he’s been here and that’s why the fans love STEVIE CLARKE is facing a double Scottish Cup blow with Kilmarnock front two Kris Boyd and Eamonn Brophy doubts for their clash with Aberdeen.
Veteran Boyd sat out Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Hearts with a tight hamstring while scorer Brophy had to go off with a similar problem.
Killie visit Pittodrie in Saturday’s quarterfinal and boss Clarke said: “When you’re playing game after game it’s part and parcel so it’s maybe a chance for someone else at the weekend.
“We have many people in reserve who can step up.” him. He’s a cracking goalkeeper. You can never be too confident when the other team get a penalty but with Jamie you are.
“In the last 10 minutes I thought we were going to nick it due to the way things have been going.”
A point maintains momentum ahead of Saturday’s Scottish Cup trip to Pittodrie where they haven’t won since 2012.
But McKenzie said: “For the first time since I’ve been at Kilmarnock there is a real feelgood factor.
“We are going into every game no matter who – Celtic, Rangers – and believe we can compete.
“I don’t think our record against Aberdeen means anything – you don’t think about that going into the game. It’s a tough place to go but I don’t think there’s a better time to play them.”