McCulloch says club in need of stability

Lee McCulloch has put talk of his Kilmarnock managerial chances on hold before his first match in caretaker charge, but thinks he has a lot to offer for the main role.

Assistant manager McCulloch has only had brief discussions with the Rugby Park board since Lee Clark left to take charge of Bury on Wednesday.

The outcome was for him and first-team coach Peter Leven to focus on Sunday’s Ladbrokes Premiership contest with Aberdeen on Sunday.

But the 38-year-old gave several hints that he might be willing to take the job on a longer-term basis as he spoke at the club’s weekly media conference.

McCulloch stated he had a “lot to offer” and added that the club was in real need of stability.

The former Rangers captain did not want the job when Gary Locke left last season, McCulloch’s first as a coach, but Clark has given his former assistant an endorsement as his potential successor.

The former Scotland international is certainly not ruling out that situation coming to pass.

McCulloch, with the help of Leven, led Killie to a William Hill Scottish Cup draw against Rangers and a win over Motherwell during a brief spell in caretaker charge last year.

“I’m not an experienced manager, I’m not an experienced assistant manager, but I feel as if I’ve got a good understanding of the game, having played under a lot of very good managers and played in basically every position in the pitch. I feel as if I have a lot to offer.”

McCulloch said of Clark, “He was a manager that I learned an awful lot from. A great character, a man’s man, really honest with the players.

“I have worked with a few good managers and he was one I really, really enjoyed working with.

“I’m sorry to see him go but he has gone to a good club down in England, so this club has to move on, that’s the most important thing.”

Kilmarnock are now looking for a seventh manager in the seven years following the departure of Jim Jefferies. Their playing squad has been even more transient – Clark signed 26 players and 26 left, some of them in both categories.

McCulloch admitted “stability and continuity” were muchneeded. He added: “I include managers and the dressing room in that, even some of the staff . . .”