Dicker says Rugby Park kids lucky to learn from boss
GARY DICKER has advised Kilmarnock’s kids to soak up every second of working with Steve Clarke — because it may prove to be the best education of their football lives.
The midfielder, back from six months out with an abdominal injury, is savouring his exposure to the coaching of the former West Brom and Reading manager at the age of 31.
Dicker (right) said: ‘I’ve been talking to the younger boys about how lucky they are to have a manager like him here — I wish I had him when I was their age.
‘There’s so much that they are going to learn, they’re going to develop a lot. Everyone is worried when a new manager comes in, that new players come in and take their place.
‘But, at their age, this could be the best education you’re probably going to have in your career — unless you really do go on to far bigger and better things.
‘The gaffer has played and coached at the highest level. He has won so much as an assistant and worked under the best managers. His own record is pretty good, too.
‘It’s a great chance for all of us. Even the older lads like myself, he’s given a few of us a new lease of life. You can see that in Kris Boyd right now. Everyone has had a lift. You just want to absorb it all.
‘He’s not a man of many words but gets his point across, which is the best thing about the better managers.
‘You hear all the time about how a manager’s football knowledge is good. Everyone has it but it’s getting that across. And he’s done that. ‘The confidence is growing and people are understanding their roles. It sounds easy but good managers get people doing it — and wanting to do it.’ Dicker didn’t make his seasonal bow until the end of last month, as a substitute against Aberdeen, but had travelled the country during his rehabilitation to support the side.
The Irishman detected a positive difference as soon as Clarke was on the premises — when Killie won for the first time in the league in mid-October at Partick Thistle.
He said: ‘You go from looking at fixtures thinking: “Where are we going to get a win?” to thinking: “There’s no reason why we can’t win our next four”. That’s how quickly it has changed.
‘Even when he was in the stand that day at Partick and wasn’t really involved, you think: “He’s the gaffer, this is going to be different”.
‘It did give us a lift straight away. We’re never out of a game now. He’s quite calm in situations.
‘Maybe a manager comes in and rants and raves. He knows when to do it. I don’t think we’ve anything to fear. We go into every game now expecting to get something. That’s a big change.’
MGary Dicker was speaking as the SPFL Trust launched ‘Festive Friends’, an initiative to provide free lunch, companionship and the means to get there at clubs across the country. The programme is this year being funded by the SPFL.