KILMARNOCK are sifting through dozens of applications to succeed former gaffer Gary Locke, club chiefs said last night.

The former Hearts manager quit on Saturday night after the club's 1-0 defeat to Hamilton Accies.

The result, coming on the back of 5-1 hammering to relegation rivals Dundee United, leaves the Rugby Park second bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership.

They are 11 points ahead of the Tannadice outfit and two behind Motherwell in tenth place.

Last night Killie, who face Rangers in the Scottish Cup this weekend, said they were continuing to weigh up Locke's potential successor.

A club statement said: "Since Saturday the club has received a large number of applications for the role, with more anticipated through the remainder of this week.

"The Board will review all applicants to arrive at a short list of candidates for interview as soon as possible."

Former Motherwell, Derby and Nottingham Forest Billy Davies has been reported to the frontrunner for the job.

But the 51-year-old has not had a job since being sacked by Forest almost two years ago.

Davies was axed by the English Championship club after a 5-0 drubbing at arch-rivals Derby in March 2014, having returned to the City Ground for a second spell in charge 13 months earlier.

Meanwhile, former Rangers skipper Lee McCulloch is expected to be put in interim charge for Saturday's game at Ibrox.