McCulloch tipped as wise choice for Killie

ST JOHNSTONE: Former Rangers captain ‘best suited’ to Rugby Park post, claims Wright

The change of Lees in the Kilmarnock dug-out won’t make Kilmarnock weaker opposition for St Johnstone on Saturday, Tommy Wright insisted.

Wright and Lee Clark go back a long way but the Perth boss was as surprised as anybody when he heard that his former Newcastle United team-mate was heading to Bury.

But, having watched Killie play Aberdeen on Sunday and lose narrowly, he is convinced that Lee McCulloch will be a shrewd in-house appointment as Clark’s successor.

“It came out of the blue,” said Wright. “But Lee had worked in England and the draw was always going to be there for him. He has been good for Kilmarnock and the club has been good for Lee.

“His time here has got him back on track in terms of his managerial career. He has got a move on the back of what he has done in Scotland.”

Wright added: “I was at their game with Aberdeen on Sunday. They worked extremely hard and probably should have seen the game out when they were one ahead, even though Aberdeen had created more chances.

“But errors cost them the points.

“It will be another difficult game for us. Lee (McCulloch) has enough experience to deal with it in the short term and long term if he wants the job.

“Everything is still so tight below us. They had a chance to go sixth on their own just nine points behind us. But they finished up losing the game and they’re only four points above Hamilton in the play-off spot.

“I would imagine Kilmarnock will want to appoint a manager quickly. Lee is in the best position. He knows the club, he knows the players.

“He has been a great player and he is probably ready for it now. He will want to put his own stamp on it and if you are looking for a smooth transition after Lee Clark’s departure I’d say Lee McCulloch is the man best suited to the job.”

McCulloch, who confirmed yesterday he had been asked to carry on as interim manager following a meeting with the Rugby Park board on Tuesday, is a big fan of Wright who has been linked with the manager’s job at Rangers.

The former Light Blues player – who made 303 appearances for the Ibrox side – is confident the Northern Irishman could do a job as Mark Warburton’s successor. He said: “I don’t see why not. “I have spoken to him a few times. I love his company, his enthusiasm and I love the way he sets his teams up, set-plays for and against.

“He has the stature and presence for it so I don’t see why not.

“It is not a slant on St Johnstone, but I am surprised there has not been clubs in England (interested) and obviously he is now being linked with one in Scotland.

“But I am surprised that there has not been more interest in him.”

I would imagine Kilmarnock will want to appoint a manager quickly. Lee is in the best position. He knows the club, he knows the players. TOMMY WRIGHT

Picture: SNS Group. Lee McCulloch has been asked to stay on as Kilmarnock’s interim manager.