Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes Steve Clarke’s arrival at Kilmarnock has helped strengthen Scotland’s top flight.
The Ayrshire club have lost only once in five matches since the former West Brom and Reading manager replaced Lee McCulloch at Rugby Park.
In a tough opening stretch of fixtures, Clarke has guided Killie to draws against leaders Celtic, Rangers and Dundee as well as a 2-1 victory against Hearts at Murrayfield with his only defeat a 3-0 reverse against Hibernian.
Clarke has bolstered his squad ahead of Sunday’s meeting with the Dons by signing former West Brom and Norwich midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu until the end of the season.
McInnes has been impressed by the instant impact Clarke has made at Killie.
He said: “Normally when a manager goes into a club you get some sort of bounce.
“I think initially getting a couple of results at Ibrox and Celtic Park instilled confidence.
“Whenever a new manager takes over, it is important they get decent results on the back of what he is preaching.
“It is clear the players have bought into it.
“It was good to get a chat with him at a development game last week.
“He is another manager who will bring something to the league.”
McInnes, meanwhile, has been encouraged by this week’s announcement that American businessman Tom Crotty has invested £775,000 in the club.
The Aberdeen manager added: “I had the benefit of meeting Tom a couple of months ago when he was over.
“He was very enthusiastic.
“We are very grateful for this investment.
“It is well documented how important it will be and spent across different parts of the club.
“We are delighted. We can do with as much investment as possible to help us become as strong as we can and want to be.”