Clark springs to defence of Jones despite dive ban

Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke has dismissed fears Jordan Jones is in danger of gaining a reputation for diving.

The Northern Ireland international is suspended for today’s showdown with St Mirren after his controversial Dundee tumble.

Jones agreed to accept a two-match ban even though he insists he did not hit the deck deliberately during his side’s 2-1 Dens Park win earlier this month.

Clarke has accepted Jones’ version of events and suggested the incident – which fooled referee Steven McLean into awarding Killie a second-half penalty – was the result of the 23-year-old losing his balance.

Sacked Dee boss Neil McCann was left furious by the spot-kick decision as he became the latest manager to call out Jones for diving.

Last season, Derek McInnes claimed he went down without contact to win a spot-kick in a Scottish Cup tie against Aberdeen.

But Clarke says he has faith in Scottish officials to judge his man fairly.

“I trust all the referees to officiate the games as and when they see the incidents on the pitch,” he said. “To think anything other than that would be to cast aspersions on referees that are not fair. All the referees I’ve come across in football are very honest.

“We spoke to Jordan about the incident. We looked at the footage that was put in front of us but we didn’t have any angles that would make people change their minds.

“Sometimes it’s best to accept your medicine and move on.

“The players’ reactions are always the best ones to go by and if you look at Jordan’s, he didn’t jump up looking for a penalty. He wasn’t trying to deceive the referee. He says that and I believe him.

“There are not many people who can run as fast as Jordan and any little touch, any little movement, can cause a loss of balance.”

Clarke celebrated his first anniversary in the Killie job last weekend after a hugely successful first 12 months at Rugby Park.

His side were bottom of the table when he was appointed as Lee McCulloch’s successor but they have picked up more points than any other Ladbrokes Premiership side during 2018 so far.

Clarke said: “I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve enjoyed working with this group of players. I’ve enjoyed helping to put a smile back on the faces of the Kilmarnock supporters.

“It feels like a much better place now than it was 12 months ago.

“We can be happy with what we’ve achieved so far but in this game if you settle for being happy it will soon catch you out, so we’re still looking to do better.”