Clarke plays down Killie’s table-topping showstopper
STEVE CLARKE, the Kilmarnock manager, praised his players for their “hard work, effort and quality” as victory over Livingston saw them climb to the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership.
A first-half double from Greg Stewart, combined with Motherwell’s late equaliser at Celtic and Rangers losing at home to Aberdeen, saw the Ayrshire side move a point clear of both their Glasgow rivals.
Kilmarnock were bottom of the table when Clarke was appointed 14 months ago and will now travel to Celtic Park on Saturday as league leaders. The former West Bromwich Albion manager was typically low-key in his reaction but hoped the fans would enjoy the moment.
The manager said: “It’s nice for the supporters. They’ll have enjoyed the night and looking at the league table but, for us, it’s just another three points.
“I’ve got such an honest bunch of players that the feeling I got in the dressing room was they were a little bit disappointed with their second-half performance. But they’ll look at the table and realise that if you work hard and are a good group of players you’ll pick up points in this league. It’s a reward for hard work, effort and a bit of quality.”
The only downside on an otherwise triumphant night for Kilmarnock was the injury sustained by Kirk Broadfoot who left the field on a stretcher after colliding with his own goalkeeper.
Clarke added: “Hopefully it’s not too serious as I’m down to the bare bones with Stuart Findlay out injured.”
The defeat sees Livingston slip to seventh in the table and manager Gary Holt took the blame for their slow start.
He said: “I’m the manager and I take responsibility for picking the team. I made changes to give a few guys their chance and they didn’t take it.”