Killie talks make sense

14 January 2010 09:11

Gordon Chisholm insists it would have been "silly" not to hold talks with Kilmarnock over succeeding Jim Jefferies as manager.

Queen of the South boss Chisholm, 49, on Wednesday met with the Clydesdale Bank Premier League club after being given permission by his current employers.

Following a two-hour meeting with Rugby Park chairman Michael Johnston, Chisholm told BBC Scotland: "They are a Scottish Premier League club so it would be silly of me to turn down the opportunity to talk."

He added: "I've held a two-hour meeting with the chairman, Michael Johnston, but I'm still manager of Queen of the South. I'm preparing for the game against Ross County on Saturday."

Queens chairman David Rae earlier said: "I have a good relationship with the manager. It would not be right to stand in his way. I'm just hoping that once Gordon has spoken to them, he'll remain at Queens."

Chisholm led the Irn-Bru First Division club to their first Scottish Cup final two seasons ago and into Europe, while they currently lie second behind Dundee in the race for promotion to the SPL.

Tommy McLean and Jimmy Calderwood look to be Chisholm's main rivals to succeed Jefferies, whose near eight-year tenure at Rugby Park ended on Monday after his fractious relationship with Johnston finally reached breaking point.

Former Motherwell and Dundee United boss McLean, 62, is currently part of Scotland's youth set-up. He flew back from international duty in Malta to meet Johnston but - amid reports he was seen as a caretaker rather than a permanent appointment - he insisted he would only take the job if it was until the end of the season at least.

"I've spoken to the chairman and he is looking for me to take charge in the short-term," said McLean, who began his playing career at Killie before joining Rangers. "I feel the club needs decisive action. I told him I would be interested if it was to the end of the season at least.

"He said he would discuss this with the board and get back to me, but so far I haven't heard from him." McLean is a legend at Rugby Park, having helped them win their only Scottish championship in 1965.

Source: PA