Kilmarnock

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David Watson has praised Derek McInnes for kick-starting his career and says the outgoing manager has been "absolutely brilliant" for Kilmarnock.

McInnes will not take charge of Killie against Hearts on Sunday and is set to seal a move to the Tynecastle club early next week.

"He came and spoke to us, wished us all the best and that was it," said 20-year-old midfielder Watson.

"I have nothing but respect for the guy, he gave me my first start in the SPFL and he's taken us from the Championship to playing in Copenhagen [in the Conference League], so I wish him all the best.

"He's been absolutely brilliant for us. He's kind of kick-started my career into what it's been so far and I'm nearly reaching my 100th game mark and most of them have been under him, so I'm nothing but thankful for him.

"Everybody liked him, we all got along good, we had a great togetherness within the staff and the players, but that's football, we just need to move on now and we're looking ahead to the game on Sunday."

Watson wishes McInnes had been given the opportunity for a send-off on Sunday in Killie's final game of the season.

"I'd say so, yes, because he definitely deserves it, the journey we've been on as a group," he added.

"But that's football, these things happen and we're more focused on beating Hearts on Sunday."

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• After their 1-0 win in December, Kilmarnock could win back-to-back home games over Hearts in the top flight for the first time since March 2014.

• Having won 3-2 in January, Hearts are looking to pick up back-to-back top-flight victories over Kilmarnock for the first time since April 2010 (run of 5).

• Excluding the curtailed 2019-20 season, Kilmarnock have won on matchday 38 in four of their past five Scottish Premiership campaigns (D1) since a 2-1 defeat to Ross County in 2016-17.

• Hearts haven't won their final match of a top-flight season in any of their past 18 attempts (D6 L12 – including curtailed 2019-20) since a 3-2 win over Motherwell in 2003-04.

• Hearts have 49 points in the Scottish Premiership this season – a win in this match will mean they would have the most points by a bottom-six side in a campaign since St Johnstone in 2018-19 (52).

Former Hearts head coach Steven Naismith has not ruled himself out of the running to become the next Kilmarnock manager after he quickly emerged as a frontrunner to succeed Derek McInnes, who is expected to become Tynecastle boss next week. (The Warm-up podcast), external

Kilmarnock want to hold talks with their former striker, Steven Naismith, as they begin the search for a successor to Hearts-bound manager Derek McInnes. (Scottish Sun), external

Manager Derek McInnes told Kilmarnock he would not be in the dugout for Sunday's final game of the season against Hearts before Wednesday's defeat by Motherwell. (Scottish Sun), external

Derek McInnes told Kilmarnock's players that he had managed them for the last time moments after their defeat by Motherwell on Wednesday night. (Daily Record), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Sportscene pundits Michael Stewart and Charlie Mulgrew discuss the red card given to Kilmarnock's Robbie Deas against Motherwell on Wednesday.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Kilmarnock caretaker manager Chris Burke says he does not know what his future holds beyond this weekend after the club announced that manager Derek McInnes would not be in charge against Hearts on Saturday.

McInnes is due to take over at Tynecastle and after a defeat by Motherwell on Wednesday where he received some vocal criticism from supporters, Burke will now lead the side in their final league game.

"That's probably one that I can't answer," he explained, when asked if he might be a candidate for the job full-time.

"I'm new in my journey, I know things happen and things change really quickly and opportunity comes, but also the fact that I'll probably know a lot about myself after the next couple of days.

"Whether that's at the club where you are part of the first-team staff, whether I go back to my own role [as under-18 head coach], whatever it is, I'm just here to help the football club at this moment in time,

"My objective is to make sure that this football club is in the right way for the next game, so it's really difficult to answer that question and I'm giving you an honest assessment answering that."

Burke recently led the under-18 squad to Scottish Youth Cup success with his son Cole part of that squad.

He revealed his pride after seeing him make his first-team debut late on in the midweek defeat to Motherwell.

"It was a very proud moment," he beamed. "Myself, my wife, my parents were there, my auntie was there.

"As a parent you're thinking 'yes', all the emotions of that are brilliant.

"[It] just puts me under a wee bit more under pressure now to maybe include him in the squad.

"If you're asking me as a father, obviously it's a proud moment."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Kilmarnock caretaker manager Chris Burke has been speaking with the media after it was revealed that Derek McInnes would not be in charge for their final Premiership match at home to Hearts.

Here are the key points from his news conference:

• Burke insists the club should be thankful for what departing boss Derek McInnes achieved at the club and once emotion is taken out of it, everyone can reflect on the success over that time.

• He pointed to McInnes' first game being against Queen of the South through to taking on FC Copenhagen in Europe, saying it highlights "the achievements that he's done at the football club".

• The former Killie and Rangers midfielder insists he is simply there to "help the players" before a match against a good team in the Tynecastle club.

• Having enjoyed success leading the youth team, Burke said he couldn't answer whether he saw himself as part of the first-team coaching set-up going forward. "I'm new in my journey, I know things happen and things change really quickly and opportunity comes," he explained.

• Burke expects to "know a lot" about himself by the end of the week.

• "Whether that's at the club where you are part of the first team staff, whether I go back to my own role, whatever it is, I'm just here to help the football club," Burke said, when asked about his future.

• Burke also revealed his pride at seeing his son Cole make his debut for the club as a late substitute in the defeat to Motherwell, adding that "puts me under a wee bit more under pressure now to maybe include him in the squad".

We asked for your views on Kilmarnock's 3-0 defeat against Motherwell.

Here's what some of you said:

Archie: What an embarrassing last few days for our club. I'm genuinely disgusted. For 60 years I've followed Kilmarnock and I have never seen such despicable behaviour. Derek McInnes talks of how he always puts Killie first? Don't make me laugh. I'll be glad to see the back of him. Where was he post-match? Billy Bowie should come out from under the woodwork for once and explain the situation because it's a complete and utter shambles.

Alastair: We played like we played over the last few seasons. McInnes was the man at the right time for us, but it certainly is his time at Kilmarnock to finish. No point in us berating him, we shouldn't be like that, instead we should be looking forward to a new manager with new ideas to put us back up where we should be.

Anna: What a gutless performance, it's like they weren't even trying to win the game, seeing as how they were already safe. No complaints about the Robbie Deas red card. Too many lacklustre performances and European football didn't help our cause. Seemed rather cowardly to get the assistant manager to comment after the game when McInnes should have done so. It was like he didn't have the bottle to face the press after an awful performance like that.

Scott: The game was a complete sideshow to the mess that McInnes has created over the last week. If he wanted to see out the season at Killie, he needed to say nothing other than that he's the Killie manager and completely focused on finishing the season strongly with us. Nothing about Hearts until the season is over, but instead, he's created a circus. Paul Sheerin's post-match comments were embarrassing and patronising to the fans, too. We aren't the bad guys, and this pair simply can't be in the dugout on Sunday.

James: Disappointing result, just ran out of steam in the last few minutes. I think Hearts and, to a certain extent, the media have treated Kilmarnock with total disrespect. They could easily have waited until next week to make their approach for McInnes, clearly an attempt to disrupt Kilmarnock's preparations for the last two games. Killie are certainly in a better position than when McInnes arrived, and I just hope the next manager can take us forward.

Graeme: Derek has punched above his weight at Killie. Unfortunately, we have to accept that Hearts are a bigger club, not a better club, than we are and he deserves the chance to go there and progress both Hearts and himself. Future Scotland or Premiership manager, maybe? Good luck to him, but glad he won't be in the away dugout on Sunday.

Watch highlights as Motherwell win 3-0 against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

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Corrie Ndaba says his Killie colleagues "don't really stress too much" about the current managerial situation at the club, with Derek McInnes set to depart for Hearts.

McInnes is currently negotiating personal terms with the Tynecastle club and will complete a move to Gorgie once the season concludes, should those terms be agreed.

However, Ndaba is fully focused on finishing the season on a high, as they prepare for their final home game of the season, against Hearts.

We want to win every game," the defender said, looking ahead to the final match of the season, following their 3-0 drubbing away from home against Motherwell.

"Especially the last game of the season at home for the fans, give them something to cheer about."

Before their game at Fir Park, many Kilmarnock fans told BBC Scotland they'd prefer McInnes to step aside now and were concerned about him taking charge of the side against his soon-to-be-employers on Sunday.

"You know, all I know is he's our manager right now," Nbada said when this was put to him.

"So he's got to focus on Kilmarnock, so all we can do is focus on the job we have to do and win games.

"We know he's a top manager. You know, it's natural for clubs to want top managers, top players or whatever, but we don't really stress too much about these things.

"We just obviously focus on our job."

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• Lennon Miller has assisted 8 goals in the Premiership this season (1 in this game), more than any other Motherwell player.

• Callum Slattery has scored 6 goals in the Premiership this season (1 in this game), no Motherwell player has more.

• Stephen O'Donnell attempted 93 passes in this game, the highest total for a Motherwell player in the Premiership this season.

• Motherwell have beaten Kilmarnock for the first time in the Premiership since 26th August 2023, a run of 5 games without a win.

• Kilmarnock have failed to score in 12 of their 37 games, only Ross County (15) have failed to score more often in the Premiership this season.

• Motherwell have attempted 579 passes in this game, their highest total in a single match in the Premiership this season.

Kilmarnock suffered a heavy defeat in what seems set to be Derek McInnes' penultimate game as manager, as three late goals from Luke Armstrong and Callum Slattery gave Motherwell an ultimately comfortable Scottish Premiership victory.

What did you make of that, Kilmarnock fans? Has the manner of McInnes' potential exit irked you?

Let us know your thoughts.

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Kilmarnock assistant manager Paul Sheerin tells BBC Scotland: "The manager made his point in the press before the game and in the lead up, so we know his stance on the situation. That's the only reason I'm stood here.

"Our structure was good, our shape was good, we nullified them to very few chances. Once we lose the first goal, we lose our discipline in terms of shape and lose a couple quickly after that.

"There's walks of life where you work your notice and nothing is really said about it. It's part and parcel of people's contracts. The manager has done everything he can to be in the dugout for the last couple of games, he's stressed that to the players - he'd love to be here.

"He's got a brilliant relationship with the club and always has. If it all to go through and be finalised, he's leaving them in a far better place than what they were.

"I understand their frustrations and there is an awkwardness about it. We can't get away from that. But I'm sure the manager will do his best for the club."

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