KILMARNOCK may not be a surprise package these days but they continue to defy the odds in the Premiership. Steven Gerrard is impressed, but not shocked.

When Steve Clarke was appointed at Rugby Park last season, there were few that doubted his credentials or his ability to transform Kilmarnock’s fortunes. Perhaps even he wouldn’t have imagined to what extent his efforts would pay off, though.

As Clarke prepares for the visit of Rangers this evening, he finds his side just a point behind the Old Firm in the Premiership standings and he has more than a decent chance of getting one over on a familiar face.

It is eight years since Clarke was appointed to Kenny Dalglish’s coaching staff at Liverpool and he first worked with Steven Gerrard. His methods and approach have left a lasting impression on the former Anfield captain.

“The thing for me with Clarkey is he’s real,” Gerrard said. “He doesn’t try to pretend and try and be something he’s not.

“He’s open and he’s honest. As a player, he’d say to me: ‘I didn’t think you were at it today.’ Sometimes he’d say: ‘I thought you were very good today.’

“That honesty and respect for me went a long way because I think players at the level that Clarkey has played at and worked at can work you out.

“Why do it any other way? Players are quite clever, they are cute, they are streetwise, they work you out pretty quickly.

“The last thing you want to do is be false and then lose a handful of players in your dressing room.

“Clarkey is real, open and honest and has the courage to tell you when you are not at it, but also a side of him when he’ll reward you if you put it in for him. That’s how he was under Kenny and I respect him for that.”

The admiration that Gerrard has for Clarke as a person is matched by the recognition he has of his work as a coach. It is as a manager that Clarke is now making headlines.

The 55-year-old played down Kilmarnock’s chances of launching their own bid for the Premiership title this term but his side could still have a say in the destination of the silverware.

A trip to Rugby Park is far from the easiest assignment that Rangers could have been given as they return to action after the winter break and Gerrard is well aware of the challenge that awaits this evening.

“I’ve said it on a few occasions that he’s done an incredible with his own resources,” he said.

“I don’t know what they are in detail, but he’s certainly got Kilmarnock punching above their weight.

“He had the most points of a manager in the calendar year, so I’ve nothing but respect for him, but I had that respect long before he went to Kilmarnock.

“I’ve seen him close up and I used to love his sessions, I used to love working with him as he’s a good man.

“It’s no surprise he’s come up here and done a helluva job and, without disrespectful to Kilmarnock, people will be watching Steve Clarke very, very closely.

“He’s been a player, so he understands situations from a player’s point of view.

“That certainly helps in a lot of situations. You can use that experience as a player as a manager.

“On top of being a good coach, he has that empathy with players and treats them with respect and I think that goes a long way.”

The work that Clarke has undertaken in Ayrshire has earned his plaudits and praise but he has rebounded most of the words of acclaim back onto his players.

He was steadfast in his defence of Jordan Jones last week following criticism directed towards the winger for a tweet he posted after he signed a pre-contract with Rangers.

Jones has found himself at the eye of the storm in recent weeks but Gerrard insists it won’t be strange to come up against the danger man that will be part of his squad come the summer.

He said: “Not for us. We know all about Jordan, he’s a good player and always a threat for Kilmarnock.

“He’s still a Kilmarnock player and we have to respect that.

“Kilmarnock have handled it very well, but he’s an opponent and we treat him individually with respect and Kilmarnock with respect. We just deal with it as normal, really.

“How difficult will it be for him? That’s a question Jordan will have to answer himself.

“Jordan is the one who put it into the public domain, so he has to handle it in the best way he can.

“For me, this is Rangers vs Kilmarnock. It’s not about us playing against a future Rangers player.

“At the moment where it stands, he’s an opponent, he’s the enemy, he’s a rival and we’ll treat him that way.”

The Rangers players will be well versed on Clarke’s approach and Jones’ ability this evening but Gerrard’s main focus will be on what his side do.

Victory over Celtic last month took the Light Blues level on points with their Old Firm rivals at the top of the table. Now, they must pick up where they left off.

Gerrard said: “We have got a difficult start to the second part of the season. There is no doubt about it.

“Two away games on plastic is not ideal. But we will take them individually.

“Kilmarnock we will try to deal with first. We are going there to try to win the game.

“It’s an opportunity again to send another statement that we have got intent and we do want to be in the race.

“Before we talk about titles and stuff like that, we have to still continue to earn the right to compete and be in the title race before we talk about winning it.”