Clark assisted his father in his first management job at Queen of the South

Nicky Clarke has hired his father Sandy as an assistant to the former Rangers and Dundee United striker begins his first managerial job with the Queen of the South.

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

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

Sandy, 69, returns for a third spell as Queen’s assistant after two previous stints working under Alan Johnston.

A centre-forward for Rangers and Hearts as a player, he left his position as manager of Lowland League side Albion Rovers to bond with his son.

The father and son duo 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 teamed up at Dunfermline Athletic from 2016 to 2018 when Sandy, who has managed numerous clubs including Hearts and St Johnstone, was again Johnston’s assistant.

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

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