Kilmarnock can challenge for the Scottish title, insists Billy Bowie
Kilmarnock chief Billy Bowie has insisted the Rugby Park side can challenge for the Premiership title.
Steve Clarke's men ended last season in fifth place, having been at the foot of the table when the former West Brom boss replaced Lee McCulloch last October.
On the way to establishing themselves as a top-six side, Killie beat Rangers home and away and Celtic at Rugby Park.
Kilmarnock chief Billy Bowie has insisted the Rugby Park side can challenge for the league title
No team outwith the Old Firm has been crowned champions of Scotland since Aberdeen under Sir Alex Ferguson in 1985.
In the short term, Bowie would be happy with another top-six finish next season. But the Killie majority shareholder and director claims there is no reason why the club can't mount a challenge to add to their solitary Scottish title won in 1964-65.
'Yeah, I would like to think so,' he said. 'What sort of timescale? We've got to be modest. Yeah it would be great if we could do it next year but who knows?
'We've really just got to see when the players come back how we play and how the other teams have fared (over the summer).
'The other teams out there have got to up the ante and raise their game. It will be very competitive next year. But ideally finish top-six.
'But this is a big stadium, a 19,000 stadium. Slowly, we are getting there. Season-ticket sales are going great at the moment.
'If we can start to fill the stands here, do more commercial work, raise more funds towards the club, the more we can improve the player budget.
'Every year, turnover has grown. The way I look at it, we have got all the tools for the job. We need to make sure for the players THAT all the facilities are there for them. Every year, we're going to build on that.
'My strategy with my own business (Billy Bowie Tankers) is that, year on year, we grow by 10 per cent.
'Ideally, I would see that as being something achievable here at Rugby Park as well.'
Steve Clarke's men ended last season in fifth place, having been bottom at one stage
Killie beat Rangers home and away and Celtic at Rugby Park during their resurgence
A former right-hand man to Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool and Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, Clarke was linked with the Scotland and Rangers jobs before they went to Alex McLeish and Steven Gerrard respectively.
Bowie knows more interest is guaranteed if Clarke continues in the same impressive fashion next season, but he hopes the manager will see out the remaining two years on his contract.
'I'm confident he will be here the next two years,' he told BBC Scotland.
'Unless a bigger club come along and gave him an offer he can't refuse. But, to be honest, he's happy here. The fans love him.
'Sometimes you have to take all that into consideration, the feel-good factor and the respect he's got and everything seems to be going the way he wants things to go.'
Meanwhile, preparations are under way for next season with nine players leaving Rugby Park.
Club captain Stevie Smith departs after an injury-hit season, while former Celtic goalkeeper Leo Fasan, midfielder Brad Spencer and ex-Bolton striker Alex Samizadeh are also leaving.
Loan players Aaron Tshibola, Aaron Simpson and Jasko Keranovic have returned to parent clubs Aston Villa, Wolves and West Brom respectively while young players Ursene Mouanda and Thomas Dempsie have been released.