Kilmarnock skipper Steven Smith is backing former Rangers Team-mate Lee McCulloch to get the vacant manager’s job at Rugby Park.

McCulloch was handed the temporary reins in the wake of Lee Clark’s sudden departure to Bury and he watched as his team lost 2-1 to Aberdeen on Sunday having been leading with just seven minutes to go.

Discussions are set to continue this week on a new appointment and Smith reckons McCulloch, who also has the backing of former gaffer Clark, is the top candidate to bring stability and a sense of continuity to the Ayrshire outfit.

Smith, 31, said: “I think most of the boys want him. To be honest it was quite a shock Lee (Clark) leaving because nobody expected the manager to go. We just had to get this game out the way and have a fresh week. I'd be delighted for him to get it but it's not up to me.

“The period I've been at the club, there's been so much change. When the manager goes it's always disappointing. But it had been the same lead up to the game. It was normal, as normal as it can be when you've lost a manager. Lee (McCulloch) has been on the staff for over a year, I think he came just after I arrived. In my opinion he's more than ready to step up and be a manager now. That's not my decision but from what I've seen he's more than capable and more than ready. I would like it to be decided sooner but sometimes these things take time.”

Killie were floored by a late Aberdeen double whammy on Sunday and Smith is urging his Rugby Park team-mates to be more positive as they strive for a top six place.

Smith added: “For me personally, it's always looking above. Some people might be different but my mentality is that you've got to look forward. You've got to try and win games and everybody will say 'oh, it's Aberdeen and they're in second place', but my mentality going into the game was to try and win. I think that mentality needs to go throughout the changing room a bit more instead of being a bit negative. It doesn't matter who comes here. You show them respect but you don't fear them. It was a great chance for us to get three points and we're disappointed. The most frustrating thing is we keep getting chances to open the gap up and we keep letting it slip. I think we've got to be more ruthless and when those chances come we've got to take them.”