Clarke wary as new-look County hope for bounce
Kilmarnock boss doesn’t know what to expect from the Dingwall side after change of manager
Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke is wary but not fearful of the prospect of a new manager bounce at Ross County.
The Ladbrokes Premiership’s bottom side travel to Rugby Park today having appointed development squad coach Stuart Kettlewell as the club’s new boss following the departure of Owen Coyle.
Coincidentally, Clarke took over at Killie from Lee Mcculloch following a 2-0 home defeat by County in September – Coyle’s first game as boss of the Staggies after replacing Jim Mcintyre – and has turned the Ayrshire club’s fortunes around, boasting ten wins and five draws from their last 16 matches.
The former West Brom boss has taken Killie into fifth place and was named Ladbrokes Premiership manager of the month for February, his second successive award.
Clarke, who revealed winger Jordan Jones will miss today’s game with the hamstring injury which makes him a huge doubt for the William Hill Scottish Cup quarterfinal replay against Aberdeen on Tuesday night, said: “I think they had changed their manager when they came to Rugby Park and won 2-0, when Owen Coyle took over. So we have to be wary of it.
“We don’t have to fear the fact that it is a new management team, we have to concentrate on ourselves and try to get a positive result.
“I don’t know a lot about the new management team. I don’t know what type of team we will face. Obviously I know their players, but I don’t know what type of team they will line up to play against us.
“In that way, it is a little bit unknown but we will concentrate on ourselves and try to maintain the standards we have had recently and try to get another positive result for the football club.”
County’s last visit to Rugby Park was in the Scottish Cup tie in January when the home side got through with a late Lee Erwin penalty. However, Clarke places little significance on that match.
“It’s not a game that lingers long in the memory,” he said.
“Neither team was up to full speed after the winter break. They were probably disappointed they didn’t get the chance to take us back up to Dingwall, but we were delighted with the late penalty and it was nice to get through the tie.
“I don’t think that game will have any bearing on this game because Ross County have obviously changed their manager. It used to be you got a bit more time to turn things round but the pressure of the modern game now is that people get the sack more often. It is unfortunate but it’s part of the job.”
County winger Davis Keillordunn is excited to be working under Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson again and believes they just need their luck to turn to get off the bottom of the table.
Keillor-dunn was a key part of Kettlewell’s under-20s squad last season as County won the Development League and feels the new manager and academy director Ferguson can lead the first team out of trouble.
“Obviously we were all shocked,” the 20-year-old said of Coyle’s departure. “Owen was really good with me and gave me a new contract but I believe Ketts and Fergo are more than capable of doing this job.
“I think it’s come at the right time for them. I know working with them last season what capabilities they have got. So I am really excited and I think all the boys are really excited to see what we can do in the last ten games.”
Coyle departed after a run of one win in 16 games and Keillor-dunn claims their poor form has had them stumped.
“That’s the question we are asking ourselves because we feel we have more than enough in the dressing room and in training and games we are doing enough,” he said.
“I think we have been so unlucky. Sometimes in football things can go against you, which we feel has happened, but you have to get on with it and keep going and keep believing in yourselves.
“We have plans for the rest of the season and I think it’s going to be okay.”