clean and press. What are your thoughts?

Is it up there with squats?
No
Will the candp build strength?
Yes

One thing I've learnt is you gotta practice the squatting movement every day

If you want to get stronger in the squatting movement you have a lot of options.

Choose one that meets your needs.

wow i read that from start to finish.

I think people need to agree to disagree

I just read it all too haha

FTR Rippetoes actual SS program is:

Squat, Bench, DL

then

Squat, OHP, Powerclean

A lot of people sub the PC's for Bent Rows because PC's aren't possible where they workout.

Anyway I follow SS and lately I have been powercleaning (rather than hang cleaning) to get the bar into position for the first rep of my OHP, and then when Im done OHP'ing I add some weight to the bar and do PC's which Ive already warmed up for.

I must say, while Im probably doing the PC incorrectly, combining it with the press is very strenuous and so I think it is a great exercise, though it doesn't really fit into my strength program except for convenience as stated above (1st rep of OHP).

I'd suggest if you were to do it as a conditioning exercise that you do it as a clean and "push press" rather than in 2 seperate stages so you get to improve your co-ordination more (and you can use more weight).