Two in a row for Clarke

STEVE CLARKE is Scotland’s manager of the year for the second season in a row.

Another sensational season as Kilmarnock boss meant he polled the most votes among the Scottish Football Writers’ Association members.

However, he has some serious thinking to do as he weighs up his next managerial step as he aims to secure European football for Killie.

Clarke admitted: “I’m not any clearer on my own future. At the moment, the inside of my head is like a tumble dryer.

“The next couple of weeks are going to be difficult.

“Has Kilmarnock been good for me? Absolutely. I’ve had a lot of satisfaction from the job.

“I’ve had a lot of good press since I came back and it’s nice to return to your own country and do well.

“Maybe some people had forgotten about me because I’d been down south for so long.

“It’s been nice to have my name in the headlines, mostly for the right reasons.

“But football management and enjoyment are two concepts that don’t really go together. It’s difficult to enjoy the job.

“Perhaps when you stop and look back at what you’ve done it’ll be different. But when you’re actually in it, you’re too busy to enjoy it.”

Clarke is hoping to finish the season on a high against Rangers on Sunday and will be presented with his award later that day at our annual dinner.

He told the Scottish Sun: “To be sitting third, with one game to go, above Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs is a heck of an achievement for a club of our stature.

“It’s probably surpassed all of my expectations.

“The players have been outstanding since I came here. They just keep producing.

“Maybe we’re overachieving, but we’re not finished yet.”