Clark makes dad assistant in first management job at Queen of the South

Nicky Clark has appointed his father Sandy as an assistant as the former Rangers and Dundee United striker begins his first management job with Queen of the South.

The 34-year-old returned to Palmerston Park for the second half of last season, scoring seven goals in 13 appearances.

He will continue to play next season, with the the Scottish League One club confident they have a structure in place allowing him to balance both roles.

Sandy, 69, is back for a third spell as assistant with Queens following two previous stints working under Allan Johnston.

A centre-forward with Rangers and Hearts as a player, he has left his manager’s post at Lowland League side Albion Rovers to link up with his son.

The father and son pair were last together at Palmerston for a Second Division and Challenge Cup double in 2012-13, when the latter scored 41 goals in 46 games.

They also combined at Dunfermline Athletic from 2016 to 2018 when Sandy, who has managed numerous clubs including Hearts and St Johnstone, was again assistant to Johnston.

A club statement said: “This partnership sees son and father working side by side, forming a united management team that blends fresh ideas with proven experience.

“It marks an exciting new era for Queen of the South, and the club looks forward to the vision that Nicky and Sandy will bring as they aim to drive the club forward.”