McCULLOCH STILL IN THE DARK OVER KILLIE FUTURE

IT IS 93 days since Lee McCulloch was asked to become Kilmarnock’s interim manager following Lee Clark’s departure to Bury. He has since taken the team for 13 games, won 16 points and preserved their Premiership status with a bit to spare. Indeed, victory in tomorrow’s final game at home to Ross County will secure Killie’s highest finish for five years. Leapfrogging the Highlanders into seventh position would also earn the cash-strapped Ayrshire club an additional £55,000. Yet McCulloch (right) revealed there has not been a single discussion over the possibility of him succeeding Clark on a permanent basis. The situation is all the more baffling after the former Rangers captain confirmed that he and his backroom staff have been given permission to free certain players and offer new contracts to others. ‘It’s a collective decision,’ he explained. ‘There are a few of the younger ones who have been given the opportunity to find another club. ‘Jordan Jones, meanwhile, will be offered a new contract as he has done really well. Again, that was a collective decision by all the club staff. ‘As for myself, I’ve still not heard a thing, but I have a year left on my contract (as first-team coach) anyway. ‘Pre-season dates have been set, but we don’t know where we will be going yet.’ Clark, who helped Bury avoid dropping into the English fourth tier, will be a guest of honour at Rugby Park tomorrow. ‘Lee has been on to congratulate us for staying up,’ said McCulloch. ‘He has been texting me a wee bit and will be coming to the game on Saturday. ‘He still has a strong affiliation with the club and is always quick to offer congratulations at the end of a positive result.’ McCulloch, who used only four players aged over 22 in Tuesday’s defeat at Motherwell, is anxious to sign off with a win. ‘I wouldn’t say it doesn’t mean anything just because it isn’t a relegation dogfight like the club has had for the past few years,’ he said. ‘If we win the game, we finish seventh. That would be a great achievement. ‘To do that would be unreal. It would show the improvement the club has made this season. ‘Last season, we were in the play-offs but, this time, we were safe with two games to go. ‘Regardless of what happens this weekend, there has been a massive improvement.’