Kilmarnock: Billy Bowie aims to mount Premiership title challenge

But, in reality, can a side like Kilmarnock – or Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs – really aspire to break the stranglehold the Old Firm has had on league football in Scotland for the past three decades?

“We have really just got to see how we play, how the other teams have fared up,” Bowie said.

“Every year, turnover has grown, employment has grown within the club. Our media department has three people in it. When I came there was one guy sharing media and hospitality.

“We’ve got the backroom staff, we’ve refurbished the gym, we’ve got a sport scientist.

“The way I look at it, we have got all the tools for the job. We need to make sure all the facilities are there for the players. Every year we’re going to build on that.”

Although his ultimate ambitions are big for Kilmarnock, it is clear Bowie’s feet do still remain on the ground. For now, simply surviving in the Premiership is the immediate aim.

“We need to stay modest,” he said. “The other teams out there have got to up the ante and raise their game. It will be very competitive next year but, ideally, we’ll finish top six.

“My strategy with my own business is that, year on year, we grow by 10%. Ideally, I would see that as being something achievable here at Rugby Park as well.”

Last season was almost revolutionary at Kilmarnock. Gone is the doom and gloom that clouded the air while the unpopular former chairman Michael Johnston reigned supreme.

Steve Clarke then arrived and took a failing side off the floor of the Premiership to fifth place – Kilmarnock’s highest league finish in seven years.

Bowie positively brims with enthusiasm as to what he sees as the possibilities at Kilmarnock. It’s an optimism fuelled by what he has already achieved in his business life and good old-fashioned community spirit.