Canning full of praise for Clarke effect

HAMILTON boss Martin Canning was reminded of Kilmarnock counterpart Steve Clarke’s credentials ahead of today’s meeting in Lanarkshire.

Killie have twice been top of the Ladbrokes Premiership this season and are currently in third place, two points behind leaders Celtic and one behind Rangers.

Ahead of the visit of the Rugby Park side, Canning waxed lyrical about former West Brom manager Clarke, whose impressive CV also includes spells as coach at Chelsea, West Ham and Liverpool, among other high-profile roles.

“What a job Steve Clarke has done since he came in, he has been brilliant,” said the Accies manager, whose side fought out a 1-1 with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in October.

“Obviously the players have bought into it and done their bit but what he has done has been great. You forget how experienced he is.

“I read a thing where [former Chelsea player] Joe Cole was talking about how Clarke stepped up and did this in the Champions League final and the League Cup final and this cup final and they almost won the league.

“You are thinking you are forgetting how he has been at the absolute top of the game and managed and coached at the top level.”

Canning believes the belief Clarke has instilled in his side since he took over the Ayrshire club in October 2017 has made all the difference.

The former Hamilton defender (above) said: “You can see the difference from Kilmarnock teams before him and the biggest thing in football is belief. You have a group of players believing that they are going to get results.”