Gordon Smith shares thoughts on Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke & compares him with Celtic & Rangers

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Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers are currently above Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership table.

Gordon Smith has claimed that it ‘speaks volumes’ that Steve Clarke has managed to perform at such high levels at Kilmarnock despite the ‘financial gulf’ between his team and the Old Firm duo.

Clarke was appointed Killie boss in October 2017 and he guided them to a respectable top-five finish in his first seven months in the Rugby Park hot seat.

At this moment in time, his team are sitting fourth in the Premiership table, one point behind third-placed Aberdeen, six points behind second-placed Rangers and a further 14 behind leaders Celtic.

Nonetheless, former Gers man Smith was adamant that Clarke will be a ‘target for bigger clubs’ in the future as he praised his work at Killie despite having to compete with the Glasgow giants.

“There is a significant financial gulf between Killie and the Old Firm,” Smith told the Sunday Post.

“The fact Clarke has been able to get the sort of consistency out of a group of players, who are paid much less than their counterparts at Celtic Park and Ibrox, speaks volumes for his ability.”

“It is also the reason why he will certainly be a target for bigger clubs over the coming year. The topic of how to get more from less is topical because it is what Brendan Rodgers failed to do against Valencia on Thursday.”

On Sunday, leaders Celtic needed a last-minute winner to beat Clarke’s side in the league, while they held Rangers to a goalless draw a fortnight ago in the Scottish Cup – the replay takes place on Wednesday.

Not only that, over the course of the season, they have beaten both Celtic and Rangers, with the latter suffering a title blow upon Scotland’s return from a midwinter break in January.

Kilmarnock will be, at the very least, looking to finish in the top three this season as they will also have their eye on catching Steven Gerrard’s side.

But before that, Clarke’s men will be looking to end the Glasgow clubs Scottish Cup hopes on Wednesday when they travel to Ibrox for a fifth-round replay.