Locke in the boss at Killie

Jun 8 2008 By Scott Mcdermott

KILMARNOCK skipper Gary Locke is praying gaffer Jim Jefferies will resist the lure of boyhood heroes Hearts and stay at Rugby Park.

The Tynecastle club will consider the lifelong Jambo for the vacant manager's post after dismissing Stevie Frail at the end of last season.

But fellow Hearts fan Locke - who played under Jeff at Gorgie in his first spell as boss - reckons he'll remain with the Ayrshire side.

For the first time in years Gary can't wait to hear Jim's famous rants at Killie's Italian training camp this summer.

He said: "It would be nice to hold on to the gaffer. It's all speculation and I'm sure he will be in Italy with us for pre-season.

"If we can make a few additions to the squad he already has at Rugby Park, we're all confident we can get back to where we should be.

"I don't know if he'd be tempted by Hearts. I'd imagine he will just be concentrating on us.

"He has fixed up Allan Russell and is trying to get Mehdi Taouil and Gavin Skelton to sign as well.

"It would be a huge loss if he went but it's all rumours right now.

"It won't bother him and I am in no doubt he'll be standing at the top of those Italian hills on July 4 shouting at us as usual!

"Jim doesn't look frustrated at Killie. Even in his first spell at Hearts he didn't have money to spend.

"He has had to pick up gems throughout his career and in Taouil has done that again.

Mehdi's a cracking player and we want to hold on to him."

Locke has vowed to continue starring for Killie in the SPL next season despite long-term knee trouble that restricts his first-team action.

He said: "I love playing and aim to carry on for a while yet.

"As long as I'm contributing I'll be pleased to play.

"I didn't get too many rollickings from the manager last year so I must have done something right."