Gary Locke on the brink of sealing Kilmarnock job

GARY Locke is set to sign a deal to make him permanent manager of Kilmarnock.
Kilmarnock interim manager, Gary Locke. Picture: SNS GroupKilmarnock interim manager, Gary Locke. Picture: SNS Group
Kilmarnock interim manager, Gary Locke. Picture: SNS Group

The former Hearts manager has been in charge on an interim basis since taking over from Allan Johnston in early February and his record of only one defeat in seven has impressed the Rugby Park board.

Locke’s legal adviser, Liam O’Donnell, said: “We are optimistic that he will be signing.”

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Speaking at his pre-match press conference before the home Scottish Premiership game against Motherwell tomorrow, the former Kilmarnock defender was similarly positive.

Kilmarnock interim manager, Gary Locke. Picture: SNS GroupKilmarnock interim manager, Gary Locke. Picture: SNS Group
Kilmarnock interim manager, Gary Locke. Picture: SNS Group

He said: “I expect to sign a contract. Hopefully we are not a million miles away but these things take time.

“The board of directors have been great and hopefully we can get it all done before Saturday.

“There are one or two things my agent is dealing with but everything is looking really positive and hopefully I can get everything sorted out before the weekend.”

The 39-year-old admits “relief” will be his overwhelming emotion when the deal is done.

“It will be relief more than anything else because I have had a couple of unsettling summers,” Locke said.

“Hopefully I will be looking forward to the summer holidays this year knowing that I am in a really good job and I can start preparing for the new season.

“But since I have got the job I have been preparing the team and looking at the club as if I was going to be here for the next two or three years anyway, so hopefully that will be the case.”

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Locke was sacked by Hearts at the end of last season after the Tynecastle side were relegated following a 15-point deduction for an insolvency event.

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