Lee Clark was put through the relegation wringer during his time at Birmingham City – and the Kilmarnock boss is urging his players to adopt a similar never say die attitude.

The Rugby Park club face Partick Thistle at home today and a victory can boost their chances of dragging themselves out of the Scottish Premiership’s relegation play-off spot.

Two years ago, Clark was in charge at Birmingham when the Blues’ championship place was only safeguarded in the 96th minute of the final game of the season.

Former Celt Paul Caddis nodded in a dramatic equaliser against Bolton as City fought back from two goals down with 14 minutes to play and sealed the point that kept them up on goal difference.

Clark said: “With Birmingham it was an experience in never giving up until the last minute. I actually felt relaxed before the game and even when we went 2-0 down with 14 minutes to play at Bolton, I stood in the technical area and still felt we could get back into the game.

“Obviously we needed help with Leicester playing Doncaster and we got that, but we stuck to our job.

“If we hadn’t have got the result at Bolton, it would have been even more horrendous as Doncaster lost their game. That’s what I’m stressing to my players.

“It’s no good thinking of other clubs because, ultimately, we have to look after ourselves to have a chance.”

Clark added: “All I can do is make sure the players have been given the right training, the right information on the opposition and the right game plan.

“Then we have to try and do our jobs. We try to make them feel relaxed, make them feel at ease and understanding that, if they do what is asked of them, it will give them a good opportunity of winning the game.

“I’ve experienced both sides of relegation. I stayed up with Birmingham but at Blackpool, that was a ship which was already gone.

“You still never want that experience again and that puts a fire in your belly.”