Kilmarnock boss says he's had a "fantastic reaction" after speaking out against sectarianism

Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke is encouraged by the support he has received after speaking out against the sectarian abuse he was subjected to by Rangers supporters during his side's defeat at Ibrox on Wednesday.

Clarke said: "I've had a fantastic reaction to what I said. Great support from everybody, a lot of good people, a lot of good messages, all very supportive.

"A good message from Rangers, a good message from the SFA, a good message from the Scottish Government, so everybody is speaking well.

"I think things can be done. 'Will be done' is probably much more difficult to address. I'm not a politician, I'm not a policeman, I'm a football manager.''

Clarke confirmed on Wednesday that he had asked Rangers about the sectarian issue when he turned down an approach from them last year.

And he revealed a potential move to Rangers failed to materialise more than three decades earlier because he was brought up a Catholic.

"When I was a player going back to 1984, '85, '86, Rangers didn't sign Catholic players,'' he said. "When I was at St Mirren there was an enquiry when Graeme Souness took over about me going to Rangers.

"I remember at the time the manager, Alex Smith, said: 'No, you couldn't do that son.' And it wasn't because there was any racism or sectarianism from Alex, he was just protecting me as a person.

"Not long afterwards Maurice Johnston went there as the first headline Catholic to sign for Rangers, so there's been massive advances.'

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