CLARK ALREADY PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

LEE CLARK is stepping up his recruitment plans for next season despite the threat of relegation hanging over Kilmarnock ahead of the play-offs. The Rugby Park manager remains confident about his side escaping the drop over their two-legged showdown against Falkirk, but is adamant uncertainty about their league status is not holding him back in terms of future planning. Clark insists he gained assurances from the Kilmarnock board about the longer-term situation before being appointed in mid-February on a contract until 2019. Asked whether he had to consider contingency plans in case the club ended a 23-year top-flight stay, he replied: ‘My recruitment process won’t change. It has already started. ‘Players will be coming, hopefully starting sometime this week. ‘Obviously, it would be fantastic if those players were producing in the top flight because we believe they would enhance our team in that league. But they will certainly enhance the team, no matter where we are. ‘You have to be able to make plans. Part of the process, why it took so long for me to come and be manager here, was to get those guarantees and assurances. ‘I was coming in to try to keep the club in the league over 12 games, now 14 with the play-offs. ‘But, no matter what happened, I was going to be given an opportunity to put my own stamp on the club because I haven’t had a transfer window. ‘The short-term goal, foremost in my mind, was obviously to stay in the league. But I have been working away in the background on acquisitions, and dealing with clubs and agents to do that.’ Clark also stated he would not have any second thoughts about his own position in the event of Peter Houston’s team prevailing. ‘No, no. I am ploughing on,’ said the 43-year-old, whose side travel to Falkirk for Thursday’s first leg. ‘But I am planning that these players will be competing in the Premiership. ‘We understand the repercussions if that doesn’t happen. But I am fully behind my players in terms of believing they will be successful over these two games.’