CLARKE’S DYER NEED
Clarke: I’m so lucky to have assistant as good as Alex.. he’s so bright and cheery every day with the players
KILMARNOCK boss Steve Clarke reckons he and assistant Alex Dyer are Scottish football’s answer to the Odd Couple.
But although they’re complete opposites it has been a match made in heaven for the Rugby Park club who have stormed up to fifth in the table since their arrival in October.
And Clarke hailed the role played by his No.2 as he picked up his second Ladbrokes Manager of the Month award.
The Killie gaffer served as an assistant under the likes of Kenny Dalglish, Jose Mourinho and Gianfranco Zola before going it alone. So he knows just how important Dyer’s input is.
Clarke said: “Alex has a different personality to me. He is bright, cheery and happy every day! I’m only like that sometimes ...
“He is a good coach who has a good rapport with the players. Alex understands the role of an assistant.
“If a player’s a little unhappy with me Alex has the skills and capability to speak to that person and reassure him.
“It’s a crucial role. I’ve done it myself so I understand how crucial it is.
“I came across him at West Ham many years ago when he was working with the equivalent of the development team.
“He worked with a lot of the senior players who dropped down to train with his group and I noticed they didn’t complain or moan about it.
“They were always happy to go and work with Alex and that
KILMARNOCK winger Jordan Jones is a major doubt for Tuesday’s Scottish Cup replay against Aberdeen.
The Northern Irish ace is struggling with a hamstring injury and will miss today’s Premiership game with Ross County.
Boss Steve Clarke said: “Jordan has to be rated very doubtful for the Aberdeen game.”
Meanwhile, stopper Stuart Findlay couldn’t care less his time at Newcastle is over as he’s enjoying his football so much under Clarke at Rugby Park.
The on-loan stopper was released by the Magpies earlier this week but said: “This is the most I’ve enjoyed my football for as long as I can remember.”
spoke volumes because senior players who drop down to work with reserve players can be very difficult.
“It’s important that the assistant manager isn’t a stereotype of the manager and Alex and I are different.
“It’s part of the reason things have gone well, one of a number of very small reasons.
“February was a good month, we picked up a lot of points and stayed in the Scottish Cup.
“I’m the guy who stands in front of the cameras and gets his picture taken with the award but it’s for everybody at the club, all my staff and players who have been outstanding.”
Killie host Ross County today and are hoping to extend their unbeaten domestic run to nine games in all competitions.
Clarke was surprised to see Owen Coyle part company with the Staggies and thinks struggling County will pose a different problem under caretakers Stuart Kettlewell and Steve Ferguson.
He said: “I’m a little bit surprised it did not work out for Owen.
“This is a difficult game to read as Ross County are a team at the bottom fighting for their lives.
“It is hard to say if I will be playing against a side that plays direct football or passing football so it is a little bit of the unknown.”
Kilmarnock go into the game as hot favourites after continuing their fine run with a 2-0 midweek win over St Johnstone.
Striker Lee Erwin bagged the clincher against Saints and insists Clarke’s men are desperate to seal their place in the top six while pushing on in the Scottish Cup.
The 23 year-old said: “It has been an unbelievable turnaround. If you look at the stats since the manager came in we would be at the top end of the table.
“We seem to have got the balance right with the manager and Alex.
“Everyone’s mind is now focused on a top-six finish.
“We’re still in the Scottish Cup and we have a replay with Aberdeen on Tuesday so we won’t be taking that lightly.”