Dicker: Euro qualification target for Killie
Gary Dicker believes Steve Clarke’ s quiet revolution can result in Kilmarnock taking fourth place in the Premiership.
That’s a finish that could send the Ayrshire men into Europe just six months after they looked favourites to be relegated.
Killie got their fifth victory in a row at Partick Thistle yesterday and a win over Hamilton on Saturday would take them within four points of Hibs after the split.
Midfielder Dicker said: “Fourth is definitely possible. You look at all the teams ahead of us and they should be ahead of us.
“Some of the teams below should probably be above us too when you look at the crowds they get and the money they have.
“No disrespect, but we shouldn’t be anywhere near them and it’s credit to the work of the lads and the staff.
“We need to win against Hamilton and put pressure on the teams above us.
“Everyone’s going to take points off everyone else after the split, which is a good thing, and you just never know what might happen.”
The Irishman says manager Steve Clarke doesn’t have to rant and rave to get a reaction from his players.
He went on: “Steve Clarke doesn’t have a magic wand, it’s all about how you get your point across and getting people to do what you want.
“That’s the hard thing as a manager and he’s brilliant at it.
“Nobody goes out not knowing what to do, but he doesn’t overload you with information.
“He won’t talk for the sake of talking.
“You’d be surprised how little he’ll talk on a match day because his work is already done.
“He’s passionate, but there’s different ways of getting people up for it.”
Clarke was reluctant to look too far ahead but was delighted with his side’s battling victory in front of 1660 travelling fans.
He said: “The two central defenders – Kirk Broadfoot and Stuart Findlay – were outstanding.
“One is at the latter end of his career and another just starting out so it was good to see and they were a good combination.
“It wasn’t our best performance but there was loads of character.
“I don’t think the pitch was the best and it was difficult to play on which led to a lot of passing mistakes from both teams.”
Clarke believes 33-yearold Broadfoot is far from finished.
He said: “Kirk has been outstanding since I came to the club.
“He’s getting on in years but he trains hard every day and his game has improved as he’s got older.
“He plays with a lot of intelligence and he’s got a good chance of having a long career.”