Jim Jefferies is the longest-serving manager in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. His six-year stretch in charge of Kilmarnock is starting to resemble a prison sentence.

Since replacing Bobby Williamson, Jefferies has seen off three chairmen, two chief executives and countless assets from his playing staff. The problem with operating in ever-decreasing circles is that you eventually reach rock bottom. Kilmarnock's spanking by Celtic in the Scottish Cup may prove a watershed moment in Jefferies' loyal tenure. Managing a team bereft of belief is fixable. Fighting a lost cause is bad for business and reputation.

Jefferies owes Kilmarnock nothing after his selflessness in the face of perennial adversity. At 57, he is is in jeopardy of overstaying his welcome at a club where he has consistently overachieved. Until now.

Rumours swept the airwaves after Kilmarnock's meek surrender that Jefferies had had enough and would tender his resignation. Few observers of Kilmarnock's plight would have been surprised if a statement was released to that effect. Years of cutbacks, fire-sales and boardroom upheaval have been willingly endured by the manager, along with a pay reduction for him and his coaching staff to help prevent the grim possibility of administration. On the evidence of Saturday's display by his players and their supporters, Jefferies might be advised to get out with his own credibility intact.

A paltry crowd of 6491 bothered to brave the wintry conditions to watch a cup tie that was all-too-conveniently broadcast live by BBC Scotland. Of even greater alarm is the fact the majority went home celebrating a woefully one-sided away win. Ray Montgomerie, a symbol of past glories in his capacity as liaison officer, was at a loss for words after witnessing a heartless performance. He did acknowledge the vicious circle in which Jefferies finds himself in: the supporters have little to cheer, yet the manager has precious few resources to freshen a stodgy, uninspired team.

In recent years, Kilmarnock have been powerless to prevent the sales of Kris Boyd and Steven Naismith to Rangers, raising a much-needed £2.5m in the process. Losing Colin Nish to Hibernian in the January window shows how little pulling-power the once prestigious club now possesses.

Save for the laudable hardcore who attended Saturday's non-event, Kilmarnock have the dubious distinction of being supported' by the most fickle fairweather fans in Scottish football. Even when spoiled by the annual European football provided by Bobby Williamson, an element of their unfathomable following regularly howled their derision, as if Jim Lauchlan, Mark Reilly and Jerome Vareille ought to have been performing utopian football on a weekly basis.

With their team now plunging to second bottom, many have simply given up; destined never to return until Kilmarnock magically reappear in the top six. The truth is, after years of overachievement, reality has finally bitten. Jefferies has worked wonders with an annual budget that would not cover the wages of a Celtic squad player. Kilmarnock simply cannot compete and their only saving grace this season is that Gretna have started their inaugural Premier League season so poorly it would take an incredible sequence of results to engage in a genuine relegation battle.

Kilmarnock are a cautionary tale to Hibernian. Having sold the family silver, they are left with a shadow squad and nothing left to pawn. Their financial situation has stabilised but debts remain and if the team cannot entice supporters through the turnstiles, the condition could soon become critical. The Park Hotel, once regarded as an additional source of income, has instead become a drain. The Moffat family have refused to throw any more money into the black hole and rumours abound that the former majority shareholder, Bill Costley, could be considering a rescue package to complete unfinished business.

Jefferies has his own legacy to worry about. He was a curious omission from the shortlist to become Scotland manager and would walk the length of the M8 (these days that might be a quicker method of commuting from Glasgow to Edinburgh) to bring respectability back to his beloved Hearts. Vladimir Romanov made a fleeting visit last week and has promised to appoint a British-style manager with selection autonomy. Who better than Jefferies to rekindle the club's ambition and, armed with a watertight contract, keep the meddling Romanov in the background where he belongs?

At this stage of his decorated career, Jefferies deserves a medal of honour for his perseverance at Kilmarnock, not the unedifying drudgery in which he finds himself embroiled.



  • AND ANOTHER THING . . .

THE heart is undoubtedly strong but does Scott Harrison still have the tools to fulfil his remaining ambition?

Saturday provided another compelling chapter in the fluctuating fortunes of the fallen former WBO featherweight champion. Within minutes of scanning The Sun's latest splash on Harrison's downfall - his holiday home seized by Spanish authorities while his court case is pending - it was heartening to watch the man himself, with more layers than a wedding cake, pounding his way up the snow-capped hills of Castlemilk.

Alex Arthur has been assured his long-awaited WBO super-featherweight title shot against Joan Guzman. If Harrison can prevent his career descending into Britney Spears territory, he should have a vested interest in the outcome.