HERE TO STAY
Clark quick to dismiss exit rumour
Kilmarnock manager lee clark has dismissed suggestions that he was ready to resign following a third successive sub-standard performance from his new-look side in their 3-2 win against Berwick rangers at Shielfield Park on Tuesday.
Speculation mounted after reports the players had been given Wednesday and Thursday off and that clark would use that time to decide whether or not to remain at rugby Park.
However, clark said: ‘one of my favourite sayings in this game is “actions speak louder than words” and my actions say that i’m here,’ he said. ‘i have fantastic support from our board and i’ve just been having a good chat with them for an hour or so, a meeting which had been planned last week.
‘The supporters also gave my family and myself great backing at the end of last season. i enjoy being here and it’s onwards and upwards. i haven’t read the story so i don’t know what’s been said or what i’m meant to have said but i’m proud to be the manager of kilmarnock and i can’t give the story any credibility at all.’
The offending article had stated that clark told his players — who had been 2-0 down to their league Two opponents just three days after losing at home by that scoreline against morton — he had to shoulder part of the blame but he insisted that he does that in every game.
‘That goes without saying in terms of i’m the leader and, if we’re unhappy with performances, then we win together and lose together,’ he said.
‘We all accept responsibility and, if there’s someone who doesn’t, then he doesn’t deserve to be there.’
asked whether harsh words had been exchanged with his charges, clark — who brought 11 new players to the club during the summer — refused to confirm or deny the claim. ‘i wouldn’t ever tell you guys what’s said in my dressing room and that’s no disrespect to you,’ he said. ‘as a player, coach or manager, that inner sanctum is sacred — i don’t even tell my family what goes on in there. ‘on monday, i’m having a meet-the-fans event at the ground, which anyone can come to. i wanted to do that in appreciation of the support i had from them and because i want, as much as possible, to have an open dialogue with them. ‘There are obviously things in football that you can’t divulge and that must stay confidential but, whenever i’m asked to turn up at a fans’ meeting for a Q&a, it won’t be a problem for me. ‘Hopefully, i’ll mostly do that following good results but i know, from my career, that you also have to turn up when things aren’t going so well. ‘i did that here last season when i spoke at the aGm and the supporters were concerned about us not staying in the league. i had to convince them we would and ask them for their backing, which i got. Too much gets made out of nothing, really.’ in spite of the controversy thus far, killie could claim a place in the last 16 of the Betfred cup with a home win over albion rovers this afternoon. ‘That’s where we want to be,’ he said. ‘i’ll be treating both cup competitions with the respect they deserve. i’d love to be a manager at Hampden Park, that goes without saying. and i’d take either one of them.’