Friday 25 January 2019 11:06, UK
Steve Clarke says his next target as Kilmarnock manager is to ensure they finish in the top half of the Scottish Premiership, despite them being in contention for their first title since 1965.
Kilmarnock's 2-1 win over Rangers on Wednesday leaves them a point behind leaders Celtic, albeit having played once more than Brendan Rodgers' side, with 16 games remaining.
Clarke's side have now beaten every team in the competition with the exception of third-bottom Hamilton, and, as such, expectations among fans have risen.
However, Clarke has played those down, and maintained that his squad's targets are more cautious.
"We can't control expectation levels outside our group and outside our club," he said.
"Other people can have any expectation they want about us. We know what we're capable of doing.
"We don't shout about it from the rooftops, and we go about our business in a quiet and diligent way. So far, that seems to have worked quite well for us.
"I don't think you can be second in the league and under the radar, but what you can be is always humble and respectful of the fact every game we play is a difficult game.
"We are where we are because we've found a level of consistency and a level of performance that's got us the points tally we've got.
"I said my first target was to make sure we're in the Premiership next season. We've probably achieved that now, and the next objective after that will be to secure a top-six place after the split."
Kilmarnock split the Old Firm in the table, with Aberdeen fourth behind Rangers only on goal difference.
Indeed, just three points separate the top four teams, although Celtic's game in hand makes them favourites at this stage.
Clarke added: "I think it's good for Scottish football that the league is so competitive. Don't forget Hearts were at the top for a long time, but they've suffered a little bit with injuries.
"They've found it difficult to get their rhythm back since they had those. St Johnstone under Tommy (Wright) have done fantastically well. Both of those teams aren't too far away either.
"I think it's been good for Scottish football - the level of performance, the competition's been good this year. Everybody seems to be capable of beating everybody else, which is good for the league."
There is a chance for the gaps between the top four to widen a little this weekend, with Kilmarnock visiting Aberdeen on Saturday.
They won 2-0 at Pittodrie in September after a very early red card for home player Michael Devlin, before a home defeat in a November rematch, as Derek McInnes' team won 2-1 at Rugby Park.
Clarke said: "It's a tough game away at Aberdeen, who are on a really good run themselves. We won up there the last time and the sending off in the first five minutes helped us.
"The game down here was strange. We controlled it but we didn't get the second goal, and we got punished for that. It was a sore defeat, so we'll try to put that right tomorrow."
