Andy Walker won’t be surprised if Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke leaves in the summer

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Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke made claims of sectarian abuse following his side’s defeat to Rangers on Wednesday.

Former Celtic man Andy Walker has claimed that he wouldn’t blame Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke if he was to ‘go elsewhere’ in the summer following his claims of sectarian abuse.

Following Rangers’ 5-0 win over Killie in the Scottish Cup on Wednesday night, Clarke claimed that he was subjected to sectarian abuse as he accused some fans of ‘living in the dark ages’, as quoted by Sky Sports.

Clarke made his comments during his post-match interview and the former Chelsea man looked understandably angry and upset.

Former Premiership striker Walker admitted that he is ‘sad’ for Clarke as he also stated that he feels ‘sorry’ for Gers manager Steven Gerrard for having to deal with this situation.

“I was really sad for him,” Walker told Sky Sports News on 21/02/2019. “I feel for him because Steve Clarke is one of a number of coaches who I think has really highlighted Scottish football in the last few years.

“He has improved the players. He has been a tremendous manager. All with a very modern budget and resources.

“If Stevie Clarke was to go away in the summer and go elsewhere, who could blame him? Who wants to put up with that on a regular basis – I feel sorry for Steven Gerrard having to deal with this.”

In October 2017, Kilmarnock opted to appoint Clarke as their manager, he had only recently left his assistant role at Championship side Aston Villa.

Nonetheless, upon sitting in the Rugby Park hot seat, he guided them to a respectable top-five finish in his first season in charge and he is currently on course to better that finish this time around.

Killie are sitting fourth in the Scottish Premiership, one point off third-placed Aberdeen, five points behind second-placed Rangers and a further 14 points off leaders Celtic.

During his career, Clarke has mainly worked in England, enjoying successful spells at Premier League side Chelsea and West Brom.