Steve Clarke has insisted “it’s not awkward” that Jordan Jones will remain at Kilmarnock for the rest of the season before joining Rangers.
The attacker, 24, agreed a pre-contract with the Glasgow giants earlier this month and has come in for criticism from fans of his current club after celebrating the summer transfer on his personal Twitter account.
Rugby Park boss Clarke has urged Kilmarnock supporters to lay off Jones ahead of the second half of the campaign and insisted he’s within his rights to select the player.
“If fans boo Jordan, then they’re booing me as well because, if I select Jordan, then they’re criticising my selection,” said Clarke, as quoted by the BBC Sport site.
“I don’t think that (Rangers game) one’s awkward for Jordan. I decide that one. That’s my decision. There’s nothing for Jordan to decide in that one. It’s not awkward for Jordan at all.”
OPINION
Jones was guilty of getting over-excited when speaking of his pre-contract agreement with Rangers in such gushing terms and claiming he had “waited for this moment for a long time”. That would have been fine and dandy were he not remaining at Rugby Park for the remainder of the campaign. The attacker, who has been one of the outstanding Killie players this season as they have punched above their weight to start the year third in the SPL and just a point behind Celtic and Rangers, is still on the payroll at Rugby Park and needs to deliver the goods. Clarke must handle this carefully, as the best chance his side have of continuing their unlikely title challenge is by keeping Jones motivated and on board. Should the fans give him hell, he could be forgiven for reducing his intensity levels and ensuring he doesn’t get injured ahead of his move to Ibrox. It’s a delicate situation for all concerned, and brings into question how much Kilmarnock have to gain for keeping hold of Jones.