It’s almost got to the point now when folk are thinking that Steve Clarke has some subterranean laboratory filled with bubbling potions, petri dishes, test tubes and chalk boards scribbled with formulas and equations for footballing success.

Every manager would love to have that lightbulb moment, although a Ladbrokes Premiership gaffer running towards the chairman in the scuddy while shouting “Eureka” would swiftly see him sacked.

Clarke has discovered a recipe for success at Kilmarnock that many would like to pinch. Just don’t ask anybody what it is.

“I get people asking what the manager’s secret is every day but it’s difficult to put your finger on it,” said Rory McKenzie as he was asked to try to put his finger on it.

“The training isn’t rocket science. It’s different from previous managers but I think it’s just the intensity and the aura he has around the place. Every game we go into, we think we will win.”

The resurgent Kilmarnock didn’t pull off that win at Tynecastle the other night but, with Hearts having a penalty saved in injury time, Clarke’s men were more than happy with a hard-earned point. 

Prior to the late award of the spot-kick, which led to Jamie MacDonald saving Kyle Lafferty’s effort, Kilmarnock came within a whisker of plundering a lead themselves when Jordan Jones’ header was brilliantly clawed away by the Hearts custodian, Jon McLaughlin.

“In the last 10 minutes, I really thought we were going to nick it, just due to the way things have been going at the moment,” admitted McKenzie after a crisp, competitive tussle in the snow-covered capital. 

“Then when the penalty gets given, that is a bit of a blow. But Jamie has done brilliantly for us and the point is massive. Jamie saved a penalty at Ibrox and when the big occasion is there he steps up. You can never be too confident when the other team gets a penalty, but with him you are.”

The plaudits for Clarke have been getting dished out in wild abundance and while there is still plenty of football to be played this season, McKenzie afforded himself a little peek into the future to when they start dishing out the annual awards. 

“I believe he deserves to be mentioned,” added McKenzie, when asked about manager of the year candidates. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself – I’ll probably get in trouble for this – but the job he is doing, I can’t think of who else there is? He has to be up there. 

“I would be lying if I said I didn’t think there was a real chance Scotland were going to come calling. Everyone probably did think about it, but it’s not something that was spoken about.”

Next up for Kilmarnock, weather permitting, is a trip to Aberdeen for a William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final. The Ayrshiremen’s record against Aberdeen is not great, in fact, they’ve not beaten them since 2012. McKenzie is confident of a change in fortunes, though. 

“We’ve not won there in a while but, for the first time since I’ve been at Kilmarnock, there is a real feel-good factor, “ he said. “We are going into every game, no matter who – Celtic, Rangers – and believe we can compete with everyone. Aberdeen is a tough place to go, we know that, but I don’t think there’s a better time to play them.”

And what about those halcyon, cup winning days of 1997? “I don’t remember much, I was only four,” said McKenzie with a smile.