As reported by The Daily Record, Kilmarnock's majority shareholder Billy Bowie has ruled out a Steve Clarke exit to Rangers this summer, despite speculation linking him with the manager's position at Ibrox.

What's the story?

Clarke has utterly transformed the fortunes of Killie, turning them from a team looking destined for relegation into a force that can take on any team in the Scottish Premiership, including Celtic and Rangers.

That's led to some figures in the game linking him with a move to Light Blues, but that's been kicked into touch by the latest comments from Billy Bowie.

As quoted by The Daily Record, the Kilmarnock man said:

There’s been a lot of speculation but let’s nip this in the bud. Steve signed a two-and-a-half year contract and as far as we are concerned he will be here next season.

That’s it. There seems all this talk as if he’s definitely going here, there and everywhere in the summer as if it’s a done deal.

Far from it. We heard it before and this week it’s Rangers. No one really mentions little old Kilmarnock.

While those comments will likely delight fans of the Ayrshire outfit, Rangers supporters may be less receptive given many have recently taken to social media to back a move for him this summer.

Do Killie have a chance of keeping him?

Given the job he's currently doing, more clubs than Rangers may come in for Clarke this summer, especially since has connections to English football too.

Clarke however appears happy with his role at Rugby Park and will likely want a full pre-season and league campaign with his side. With preparation and more signings, his side may be in line to achieve big things next term, raising his stock even further.

It's important that Killie resist advances towards him for another season at least and Rangers may have to look elsewhere to replace Graeme Murty should they take the decision not to keep the interim boss on.