Kilmarnock

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Before the game, Kilmarnock fans were canvassed for their opinion on McInnes' seemingly imminent move to Hearts.

While they were generally thankful for his efforts in charge, the manner of his exit has prickled plenty.

Should he be in the dugout as he negotiates with another club? There is no right answer, but it is certainly not the best look when his side go on to lose 3-0.

He would not have wanted that, of course. He will be fully committed to Kilmarnock right now if, perhaps, a little distracted.

His players don't have that excuse, and they didn't need one until the last 15 minutes. That was when the energy and legs, having defended with a man disadvantage for 50-odd minutes, started to wane.

In fact, in the first half they were largely the better team and forced Aston Oxborough into a couple of smart saves - mainly from a Danny Armstrong free-kick.

Their ill-discipline haunted them at the start of the season, forcing them to stumble out of the blocks and ultimately cost them a place in the top six. As the season winds to an end, it reared its ugly head again.

Now, attention turns to Rugby Park on Sunday. McInnes against his potential employers, Hearts. An awkward situation indeed.

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Robbie Deas believes Kilmarnock are "capable of going on to bigger and better things" with or without manager Derek McInnes.

Hearts have agreed a deal to secure McInnes' services, although personal terms have yet to be finalised.

Defender Deas, meanwhile, has agreed a new two-year contract extension with the Ayrshire club and revealed "I wouldn't have signed" if he did not think they could be successful under a new manager.

"I feel very at home here," the 25-year-old, previously of former Inverness Caledonian Thistle, said. "I think it's been a successful two years.

"Finishing fourth and getting into Europe was amazing and I maybe took that for granted because it was my first year here.

"This season's been quite difficult, but at the end of the day, we secured safety in the Premiership."

Kilmarnock have won three games in a row despite speculation about McInnes' future during which Deas thought there had been "no mood change in the camp".

He admitted that McInnes' "stature" was "one of the main reasons" he signed for the club and that: "I feel he has been really good with me and I've come on leaps and bounds."

However, Deas believes "I've still got a lot to give to the club" and that there is "loads of quality" in the squad no matter who is manager next season.

"The only reason I want to stay is because I know the players who are going to be here," he added.

"There's nowhere else I would want to play my football for the next two years."

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• Motherwell are unbeaten in six home league games against Kilmarnock (W3 D3) since a 2-0 defeat in December 2020.

• Kilmarnock are unbeaten in five league games against Motherwell (W2 D3), and could win successive league matches against the Steelmen for the first time since December 2018 (four in a row).

• Motherwell have lost their final home league game in two of the past four seasons (W2), as many as their previous 11 beforehand (W6 D3 L2 – including curtailed 2019-20 season).

• Excluding the curtailed 2019-20 season, Kilmarnock have only lost their final away game in one of their past 16 top-flight campaigns (W11 D4), although that was at Motherwell in 2016-17 (3-1).

• In his top-flight managerial career, only against current side Kilmarnock (24) has Derek McInnes won more games than he has over Motherwell (21), although he is winless in his past six away league games against the Steelmen (D4 L2) since a 3-0 victory with Aberdeen in October 2019.

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Motherwell defender Johnny Koutroumbis completes a two-match ban. Liam Gordon, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Paul McGinn are back training but might not feature.

Kofi Balmer (hamstring), Shane Blaney (knee), Sam Nicholson (knee), Jack Vale and Zach Robinson (both Achilles) remain out.

Kilmarnock's Kyle Magennis is back training following a knee problem but the game comes too soon. Brad Lyons (groin) and Joe Wright (hip) remain out but both have a chance for Sunday.

Youth team winger Cole Burke, 16, is added to the squad.

Steven Naismith is the frontrunner to become the next Kilmarnock manager, with fellow Rugby Park player Chris Burke also possibly involved in a shake-up should first team boss Derek McInnes complete his move to Heart of Midlothian. (Record), external

Hearts' plans to unveil McInnes as their new manager have been put on hold until chairwoman Ann Budge returns from holiday. (Herald - subscription required), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Derek McInnes thinks "we've got a good thing going here" despite the expectation that he will be leaving Kilmarnock to become Hearts' new team boss.

The Kilmarnock manager revealed that the Scottish Premiership rivals have agreed a deal for his services, although talks continue before the move can be finalised.

Kilmarnock sit ninth in the table, with games against Motherwell and Hearts to come, having failed to replicate last season's fourth-place finish.

But McInnes insisted: "The club is in a good place. The reserves got beat in the League Cup final, the 18s won the Scottish Youth Cup, we've got value on the pitch."

Since missing out on a top-six finish, Kilmarnock have won three games in a row to steer themselves clear of relegation trouble.

"Everybody keeps saying to me it's been a disappointing season," McInnes said. "I hear the narrative - I think it has been more a difficult season.

"We are annoyed that we've not been able to get into the top six, but we have no divine right to that.

"For a club like ourselves, we had to do so much right to finish fourth last season. To get something close to that this season was always going to be tough.

"There was a lot of optimism at the start of the campaign and that's maybe why, when it doesn't materialise, there is that tinge of disappointment and frustration."

McInnes thought the threat of relegation had "been good for us".

"You would never encourage that - you don't want to be in a situation we were in - but it was the importance of the situation and the boys have been magnificent with that," he added.

"Our time at Kilmarnock has been so enjoyable and it's important we try to enjoy the last couple of games."

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Returning to Kilmarnock to succeed Derek McInnes as manager would be a good "opportunity" for Steven Naismith to get back into football, according to former Hibernian, St Johnstone and Dunfermline Athletic midfielder David Wotherspoon.

McInnes revealed on Tuesday that a deal had been agreed between Kilmarnock and Hearts for him to switch to Tynecastle after the final two games of the season.

Former Rangers, Everton and Scotland forward Naismith, who has been out of management since being sacked as Hearts head coach in September, started his playing career with the Ayrshire club and has naturally been linked with a return there as team boss.

"I don't know what they'll be looking for next," Wotherspoon told BBC Scotland's Scottish Football Podcast.

"The likes of Steven Naismith, who's played at the club, they might want to bring him back in because he's an exciting young manager and might revitalise the squad and have a bit of excitement about it to get up and running again.

"Obviously, he had a short stint at Hearts and he'll be desperate to get back in I would imagine.

"So, as someone that knows the club and has been there before, that might be an opportunity for him to get back into the game and progress his career."

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

It was a weekend of relief for Killie fans as we beat Dundee to secure our top-league status for another season.

It was our third win on the trot, but there was only one question on lips of every fan: how funny is it to see Ayr's bottle crash every year?

The other issue was whether our manager was heading to Tynecastle in the coming week.

There is certainly serious interest from Hearts and media reports suggest he will shortly make the switch.

Derek McInnes has served up a mixed bag in his time at Killie and divides opinion among the fans. He took us to the Championship title and a great six months last season earned us some fantastic European memories.

On the flip side, he has given us two relegation battles, served up an embarrassing away record and frustrated fans with constant tinkering of personnel and formations.

As football fans we are used to players and managers coming and going, no individual is ever bigger than the club - we'll simply move on.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

Talks with Kilmarnock over a compensation deal to make Derek McInnes Heart of Midlothian's new team boss will not be concluded until after the sides meet in their final Scottish Premiership game of the season this weekend, with former Hearts head coach Steven Naismith favourite to replace him at Rugby Park. (Sun), external

McInnes is edging closer to accepting the Hearts job - almost eight months after Jamestown Analytics suggested him as the ideal man to replace Naismith before the appointment of Neil Critchley. (Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Sportscene pundit Michael Stewart dissects the impact of Danny Armstrong at Kilmarnock as the winger nears the end of his deal. (Available to UK users only)

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Robbie Deas is convinced he can "offer a lot more" to Kilmarnock after signing a two-year extension to his contract.

The defender, whose new deal will until the summer of 2027, has been a regular in the Rugby Park side since his arrival from Inverness two years ago.

The Ayrshire club say the centre-back has showcased "leadership qualities and defensive prowess" during his two seasons in the team.

And 25-year-old Deas added: "I've enjoyed my time at the club so far and I'm looking forward to building on what we've achieved and pushing on again next season.

"I feel like I can offer a lot more to this club."

Kilmarnock secured their Scottish Premiership safety with victory over Dundee on Saturday, but there is uncertainty over manager Derek McInnes' future with Hearts set to make an official approach for the ex-Aberdeen boss this week.

Heart of Midlothian are set to make their move for Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes official before close of business on Monday. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

Watch highlights as Kilmarnock ensure their Scottish Premiership survival with a 3-2 win over Dundee. (Available to UK users only)

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes hailed the influence of Stuart Findlay after the 3-2 win over Dundee on Saturday secured their Scottish Premiership status.

The 29-year-old defender, on loan from Oxford, returned to action at the end of March having been out since last November with severe ligament damage.

Since his return to the side, Killie have won four out of six matches, the last three of which have been victories that have kept them away from the relegation play-off spot.

"There's no doubt having Stuart Findlay back has been massive for us," McInnes said.

"He doesn't always catch the eye, and he's not exactly dribbling out and making chances and all the rest of it, but he's such a calming influence.

"That ability for a centre-half to make people round about them better is a dying art, because so many boys now just what to play their own game and look after themselves, but he does it in such a quiet effective way.

"It was Robbie Deas' best performance of the season, maybe the best performance in a Killie shirt, he was outstanding.

"Stuart makes him better, he makes [Corrie] Ndaba better, he makes [Lewis] Mayo better. And you can't buy that. That is worth so much."

We asked for your views on the 3-2 win against Dundee that secured Kilmarnock's Premiership survival as Hearts prepare to make an approach for manager Derek McInnes.

Here's what some of you said:

Alastair: Well done team, squad and manager to keep a town team in the top league again after hectic European start. It's all good experience. Perhaps everyone, including fans, were a bit overconfident after last year but we now seem to have our confidence back. If Derek McInnes goes, then Steven Naismith for me, as he got breaking Hearts into Europe.

Dugald: Glad to have, eventually, secured Premiership status for next season. If the manager goes then so be it. I've never been a big McInnes fan. If anything he's got a reputation beyond his achievements. Hopefully Billy Bowie has some succession planning in place to drive the club forwards.

Joe: Good result for Killie. Derek has done great job for us and I have no problems with him moving on.

Anna: Impressive performance. Solid at the back and in midfield, nice to see David Watson get a start too. Danny Armstrong's passion impressed me big time and I hope he stays along with the awesome Stuart Findlay. We can rest easy knowing our Premiership survival is secure. Hearts you can get lost, you are not getting our manager, he's staying put.

Robert: McInnes must stay. No ifs, buts or maybes. The way we played showed that his players would run through brick walls for him. We can all argue with his selections/tactics in some games but in my view we could not possibly replace him.

James: An excellent performance all round. The defence were solid and we created lots of chances which would have made the final score more impressive. I really hope McInnes stays because he has started a project which will set firm foundations for the future of the club.

Kilmarnock held off Dundee's late fightback to secure victory and their Scottish Premiership status while uncertainty around manager Derek McInnes' future continues.

Danny Armstrong's penalty gave Kilmarnock the lead before the break, but Lyall Cameron's first goal of the afternoon levelled.

Two headers, scored by Bruce Anderson and Robbie Deas, looked to have finished the game but Cameron netted again - this time a stunner from the edge of the box - to set up a tense finale.

However, the hosts held on and, having achieved safety, the focus intensifies on the Rugby Park boss, who is the frontrunner for the vacant post at Hearts.

What did you make of that one, Killie fans? A well-deserved three points?

And what do you think of the speculation linking McInnes to Tynecastle? Would you be sad to see him go?

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes told BBC Scotland there has been "no contact" between the Ayrshire club and Hearts over the manager's job.

"I hear all the speculation but there's been no contact from club to club as far as I'm aware.

"It's hard for me to say anything other than that. The fact there's been no contact from club to club.

"There's been a lot of speculation but we've had far too much to occupy ourselves with. I've been focused on making sure we're alright.

"I love this club, it's given me so many highlights and I'm really enjoying days like today. They make it worthwhile. If anything's to change with that, it's not in my control."

On today's victory over Dundee, the Killie boss added: "It wasn't straightforward, the heat played a factor but the boys worked extremely hard.

"The games against Dundee are always dramatic, you're never quite there but I thought we were worthy winners.

"Three goals should always be enough to win a home game. Thankfully it was today, but it could have been so much more. Sometimes you're looking to just stick the knife in and get that comfortable victory and at 3-1 we thought we were there but credit to Dundee for fighting back.

"The season is maybe finishing at the wrong time for us because we actually look like we're getting stronger. But today was all about wining, it 's a real highlight seeing the fans and how much it meant."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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"Calm, resilient, professional and disciplined".

All words that McInnes used pre-game to describe his team in the last few weeks.

For much of this game, they showed that again. Quite happy to let Dundee have the ball, they soaked up pressure and then hit on the counter - almost to devastating effect.

They could have been more clinical in front of goal - looking at you, Bruce Anderson - but they made up for that with their threat from the set-piece.

However, matches between these two are never so simple and they had to show a lot of fight to hold off the wave of Dundee momentum at the end.

How will these players cope, if McInnes is to go? This is his team, built in his image. Big, strong, Kilmarnock who have finally started to stand tall at the right time.

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Danny Armstrong. The Kilmarnock winger is back to his best at the end of the season. With him and Fraser Murray on form, it's no surprise they've found their feet to allay relegation fears.

Another goal from the spot, plus an assist for Robbie Deas' goal, he's proving why Hearts were so keen to sign him in January.

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Kilmarnock pair Brad Lyons (groin) and Joe Wright (hip) have a chance of returning to the squad while Kyle Magennis (knee) is back in training but unlikely to feature.

Dundee attacker Oluwaseun Adewumi has shaken off a knock but Jordan McGhee remains out and Ethan Ingram has been ruled out for the season with a thigh injury.

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Danny Armstrong wants Kilmarnock to ensure a positive end to a disappointing season by securing Premiership survival against Dundee on Saturday.

Killie have won two out of two since the split to move ninth and a third straight victory would guarantee they can't finish in the play-off spot.

"Obviously it is not nice when you are down this end of the table," said winger Armstrong.

"We have been here before [in 2023]. It isn't as bad as last time but it's nice to hopefully get it done as soon as possible just to secure safety and look up rather than look down.

"That was the aim at the start of the post-split games and it was just about getting those first couple of wins as soon as possible. It was good to get them straight away and especially the away win, finally.

"It is frustrating because we would like to be in the top end of the table but we just couldn't catch up when times were tough.

"It was obviously a busy start to the season with the European games, loads of red cards and stuff going on and we always thought we could get back to the top six.

"We weren't far away from it and that is the crazy thing about the top six, there is always a chance for everybody until those last couple of games and we weren't quite there.

"So it was about focusing on the safety as soon as possible and we look to secure that on Saturday."

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• Kilmarnock have only lost one of their past 13 Scottish Premiership games against Dundee (W4 D8), a 3-2 defeat in November this season.

• Dundee are winless in five Scottish Premiership visits to Kilmarnock (D3 L2) since a 1-0 victory in May 2017.

• Kilmarnock have won their past two league games (both 2-0), while they last won three in a row within a single season in the Premiership in October 2020, and last did so while also keeping a clean sheet each time in April 2018.

• Dundee have alternated between winning (3) and losing (3) their last six league games, losing 2-1 at home to Motherwell last time out.

• Dundee have dropped more points from winning positions (26) than any other side in this season's top flight, while no club has recovered more from losing positions than Kilmarnock (13, level with Hibernian and Rangers).