Killie boss plays down link with Scotland post

Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke has played down speculation linking him with the Scotland job.

The Rugby Park chief has shot up the list of contenders for the Hampden post in the wake of Michael O’neill’s decision to snub the Scottish Football Association’s offer.

But the 54-year-old, who was named the Ladbrokes Premiership manager of the month for December after an impressive start to his Killie reign, says he is focusing on his current post.

Clarke said: “You get quoted because I’m up here and I’m in the public eye in Scotland.

“I was asked about it 12 weeks ago or so when I first came back up here. But I came here to work for Kilmarnock and I’m happy here now.

“Scotland will be a great job for somebody and I’m sure the SFA have already got a list of candidates and a list of people they want to speak to. Hopefully they choose the right man.”

Asked if the national team post would interest him one day, Clarke replied: “Mauricio Pochettino gave a fantastic quote recently when he was asked about the Real Madrid speculation. He said, ‘The football world takes you where the football world wants to take you’. So in the future you never know.”

Killie keeper Jamie Macdonald believes his boss certainly has the tools to take on the Scotland post but he is keeping his fingers crossed Jose Mourinho’s former Chelsea No 2 is not attracted by the lure of international football.

Macdonald said: “He definitely has the qualities to be a good Scotland manager. You just have to look at his track record, it’s unbelievable.

“He would be a great choice for the national team but hopefully he will stay at Kilmarnock for the long term.”