Lee salutes new manager Clarke

FORMER Kilmarnock manager Lee McCulloch always felt it would take the team time to gel this season but he is delighted to see them flourish under Steve Clarke.

McCulloch lost his job with Killie sitting on three points from eight matches and they have since taken eight from five games.

The ex-Killie boss anticipated a difficult start but he feels the board should be applauded for appointing former West Brom manager Clarke in his place.

McCulloch said: “I felt deep down it was going to take time. We had eight players and had to bring in at least 12, so it’s always going to take time for a team to gel.

“The performances weren’t too bad, it was just the results in the end.

“I w i s h ev e r yo n e a t Kilmarnock all the very best. The fans need a bit of positivity, as do the players, and I congratulate t he board on a great appointment.”

McCulloch, who t ook over on a caretaker basis in February, is attempting to put his time out of the game to good use.

“I have been using it to reflect on things that happened and I’m looking forward,” he said.“I’m doing some manager visits and going about clubs and keeping myself learning, trying to learn every day.

“I’m still 39. I really enjoyed my spell, finishing eighth last season was a great achievement for the club.”

Former Kilmarnock manager Lee McCulloch.