For Kris Boyd, Steve Clarke is the best manager he worked with on the pitch during his playing career - that's why he was thrilled to see the former Kilmarnock manager commit his future to the national team.

Clarke penned a contract extension earlier this week to see his terms run until 2026 with the Scottish national side.

The news of a new deal was welcome news to many ahead of the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign kicking-off on Saturday.

Boyd knows, however, that Clarke still has his critics among the Tartan Army - even if he believes Scotland are "lucky" to have the current Hampden boss.

In his Scottish Sun column, Boyd wrote: "Ian Maxwell and Co are right to believe he’s the guy to get us to the next one.

"That won’t be how everyone sees it with Clarke. He’s someone who still has his critics.

"I know he can come across as a bit dull and dreary at times and maybe that doesn’t help the way people look at him.

"But trust me, Scotland are lucky to have this guy in charge and I’m delighted the SFA have realised that and agreed a new long-term deal."

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In fact, so impressed was Boyd with Clarke as his manager at Kilmarnock, that he reckons Clarke is "from the same mould" as legendary Rangers and Scotland manager Walter Smith.

Boyd hailed both managers for their coaching and man-management abilities as he drew the comparison between Clarke and Smith - who passed away in 2021 aged 73.

The pundit continued: "Look, I know some people focus on the way he comes across, I get it. At the same time, though, his demeanour is one of his strengths as a manager.

"Clarke is as straight as die. He’s 100 per cent honest with players and tells them exactly what he thinks. To their face.

"Yet when players meet him for the first time, they quickly realise he’s the complete opposite from the way he puts himself across in the media.

"For one thing, he’s got a real dry sense of humour. More importantly, his football knowledge is incredible. He’s as close to Walter Smith as you could possibly get.

"Some managers are good at dealing with people and bring coaches in to put their sessions on out on the grass. Clarke is superb at both and Walter was the same. They come from the same mould.

"Players have nothing but respect for him and they’ll have total belief and faith in everything he asks them to do. On the pitch he’s the best I worked with in my career and I reckon most of the players there right now will be saying that too, when they hang up their boots. That’s how good he is."