Clarke so sceptical of calendar-year success after Baggies axed him despite highest finish
STEVE CLARKE isn’t interested in basking in a stunning first year at Kilmarnock as bitter past experience has shown it can count for nothing.
No Premiership team have racked up more points than the Rugby Park club in 2018, with only Hibs able to match their 49-point haul.
But Clarke, who’s just past the one-year anniversary of his appointment, reckons it’s pointless savouring such impressive statistics.
And the 55-year-old should know, having had to make way for Pepe Mel at West Brom in 2013 just seven months after leading them BY CRAIG SWAN to a historic eighth place in the English top flight.
He said: “I’m very sceptical about calendar years. I was sacked and one of the reasons cited was my calendar year wasn’t very good.
“That was after leading them to their highest-ever Premier League finish and highest-ever points total.
“To make matters worse the manager who replaced me had a calendar year that was worse than mine.
“But I take the point and we have picked up a lot of points this year, which is a big reflection on how well the players have done. We can be happy with what we achieved but in this game you always look to do better.
“The day you wake up and think you have cracked it or have achieved all you can achieve, you head for the golf course or the beach.”
Nevertheless, he accepts there is plenty to be pleased about – and little wonder.
Killie could go top if they win at St Mirren with Clarke refreshed after switching off on a trip to see his family back in England during the international break.
He said: “It was a little bit easier for me finishing up on a three-game winning run and easier because I leave Kilmarnock entirely and go home to spend time with my children and grandson.
“I had a great weekend and it helps me to relax that I’m 400 miles away.
“These breaks are all about catching up with my family. Up here I’m a bit isolated and I don’t see any of them as much as I’d like.”
Clarke is too shrewd to talk about title bids but still keen not to put a glass ceiling on his squad’s ambitions.
No team outside of the Old Firm have won a title since 1985 and he smiled and said: “Historically that’s how it has panned out but you know me well enough to realise that’s not how I operate. I’m strictly one game at a time. We’ll just keep trying to get as many points as we can and see where that takes us.
“It’s very early to start saying this season is going to be different than any other in the last 30 years.
“It could be the big guns pull away at some stage.
“Equally it could be the little minnows like ourselves can stay competitive.”
Killie sold out their 1600 allocation for today and defender Stuart Findlay said: “If you ask any player in the world there’s is nothing better than having backing.”