KILMARNOCK'S Steve Clarke and Kris Boyd have been named Premiership manager and player of the the month respectively for December.

Clarke has overseen a transformation at Rugby Park since his arrival in October, taking the reins when the club was winless and leading them into the top six at the winter break.

December was a particularly rewarding month for Killie, who recorded wins over St Johnstone, Partick Thistle, Motherwell and Rangers as well as earning draws away to Ross County and Hibernian.

The unbeaten run saw Clarke's side leapfrog Motherwell into the top six before the turn of the year and veteran striker Boyd's goalscoring form was crucial to his team's success.

Boyd found the net six times in six games last month to go second in the Premiership scoring charts, just one goal behind leader Alfredo Morelos of Rangers.

Kilmarnock return to competitive action on Saturday when they host Ross County in the Scottish Cup fourth round.