Kilmarnock must keep Kris Boyd, says boss Allan Johnston

Kilmarnock manager Allan Johnston hopes the revival of Kris Boyd does not lead to any transfer interest next month.

The 30-year-old striker scored twice in a 4-0 win at Hearts, taking his tally for the season to 11.

"We'd like to keep him; you can't afford to lose players like that," Johnston told BBC Scotland.

"He has great experience and I'm sure there is more to come from him. He's different class and has been a real example to the younger players."

Boyd's brace was complimented by fine individual goals from Chris Johnston and Rory McKenzie as Kilmarnock picked up a sixth consecutive victory at Tynecastle.

"The boys were great today; there was some really good movement and I thought we controlled the game," added the manager Johnston.

"When you have something with the quality of Kris Boyd, you are always liable to score goals.

"He scored two and could quite easily have had four or five.

"And when you look at the team that finished the game, we were just as young as Hearts."

That youthful enthusiasm helped the Rugby Park side climb 21 points clear of their hosts, who prop up the Premiership.

And Killie are now just four points behind sixth-placed St Johnstone after a wretched opening to the season.

"We always knew it would turn round because it wasn't as if we were not creating chances," explained former Scotland winger Johnston.

"We were playing well but maybe getting punished for individual errors and we seem to be cutting them out now.

"We just need to keep putting results together and catching the teams up above us because where we are is not good enough.

"A lot of the younger players coming in have given us an energy and a desire - they are desperate to do well. I think that has been the big change."