Kilmarnock

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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In a summer that will now be marked by change in the dugout, is the new Kilmarnock manager's most pressing task luring Stuart Findlay back to Rugby Park once again?

The Scotland cap has just completed his second consecutive season on loan from Oxford United, the third club he has moved to Killie from, with one permanent move in there too. He's a fans' favourite, no doubt about it.

Findlay's Oxford deal has a year left, meaning they may seek to cash in this summer. Be it a permanent switch or another loan move, being able to call upon him would be a vital step in guiding Killie back into top-six contention and not the doom and gloom of another relegation battle.

The defender's season was interrupted by an injury that forced him to miss a sizeable chunk of the campaign, but he returned in recent weeks to help pull the club away from the mire at the foot of the table.

Derek McInnes, his manager for all but one game this season, was keen to highlight the importance of the 29-year-old after the crucial win over Dundee that guaranteed top-flight safety. Findlay's influence on this Killie side is perhaps more important now than any other member of the squad.

However, reports suggest McInnes may try and take the centre-back with him to Hearts. Findlay, though, has a clear affection for Killie.

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

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

The next Killie manager - whoever he may be - will have plenty to contend with next season. Keeping Findlay at the heart of the defence would ease many a concern.

We asked for your views on where Kilmarnock should go from here following the confirmation of Derek McInnes' departure to Hearts.

Here's what some of you said:

Jason: Now Dundee have decided to dispense with Tony Docherty's services I'd quite happily see him in the dugout at Rugby Park. He did a good job there and I think he'd be an ideal replacement and it's not too much of a risk. He knows the league and the players in it, so I think it would hopefully be a smooth transition.

John: Either Paul Lambert or David Martindale. I think both managers could improve our style of football, giving better entertainment for the fans. ing, flowing football has been seriously lacking this season and at times it has been a grim watch.

Jay: Shaun Maloney for Killie - that'd be a great shout.

Gary: Scott Brown with a bigger and better squad than he has at Ayr could do well. Docherty unfairly sacked as Dundee boss. Chris Burke on coaching staff.

Matthew: Robbie Neilson. Average 1.7 points per game, likes to play 3-4-2-1 which allows you to play a more progressive, entertaining football.

Brett: Need someone like Duncan Ferguson to inject a bit of ion into the team.

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Midfielder David Watson says the idea of a new manager coming into Kilmarnock is an "exciting prospect".

Derek McInnes' move to Hearts was confirmed on Monday after three-and-a-half years at Rugby Park.

Former Kilmarnock striker Steven Naismith has been linked with the vacant position at the Ayrshire club, while Tony Docherty, Stuart Kettlewell and Liam Fox are all out of work after recently leaving Premiership side.

Under-18s coach Chris Burke, who stepped up on a caretaker basis for the final league game of the season against Hearts, has been mooted.

Asked if it was an uncertain period for the players as they headed off for their summer break without a manager, young midfielder Watson said: "I don't think it's an uncertainty.

"I think it's more of an excitement to see who's going to come in and how they're going to work and to learn from a new manager.

"I've only done it once obviously with going from Tommy Wright to Derek McInnes, but it's an exciting prospect of somebody else coming in and seeing how they view football.

"It's quite exciting to see how we're going to play and how we're going to set up and how we do things differently or how it compares to other managers."

Former Scotland international Burke, who oversaw a 1-0 defeat at home to Hearts in Sunday's final Premiership clash, is open minded about what the future holds for him.

"I'm still new in my (coaching) journey, which is good," he said. "So for myself, I need to make sure that if anything like this did happen anywhere in any club, then I'd have to make sure I'm ready for it.

"I need to have the best version of myself. I couldn't tell you what the next step is. I couldn't tell you my next journey in football. It's crazy.

"I was video analysing Under-18s teams and then before you know it, I'm video analysing Hearts' first team and you've got Lawrence Shankland on the team.

"It's crazy. Football is as mad as it is and it turns around very, very quickly."

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

Killie's underwhelming season ended in further disappointment with a single-goal defeat to Hearts.

The most noticeable aspect of the performance was our abysmal attempts to score with row Z being the destination of choice.

We had one shot on target from 17 attempts so shooting practice is top of the list for the new manager when he arrives.

The players' lap of honour at the end of the game was muted and there is no doubt a sizeable number of them will be plying their trade elsewhere after the summer.

The urgent priority for the board is to get a new manager in place as quickly as possible. The close seasons seem to get shorter year on year so the new gaffer needs as much time as possible to get his squad assembled and in shape for what will be a difficult season.

We have a new pitch to pay for and having lost money again this year it seems certain the player budget will be reduced.

Hopefully we employ a manager with a wide range of s and who is willing to give our youth players a chance.

The oustanding highlight of the season is easy - the trip to Bruges with 3000 fellow fans felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

Scotland assistant John Carver, who took charge of Polish top flight club Lechia Gdansk in November, is a contender to become the next manager of Kilmarnock. (The Herald), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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New head coach Derek McInnes itted being linked with the Hearts job in the closing weeks of the season had been "a bit problematic" - but he insisted he has "nothing to apologise for" following his Kilmarnock exit.

McInnes managed Kilmarnock for the last time in Wednesday's 3-0 defeat by Motherwell and was absent as the Ayrshire club lost at home to Hearts on Sunday, both teams' final fixture of the campaign.

"I've got nothing to apologise for because I loved my time at Kilmarnock," McInnes explained. "Ideally, it would've been done at the end of the season.

"Before the game on Wednesday against Motherwell, I spoke to the board again and I just thought that had to be my last game. I just thought Sunday's game would be too problematic, too antagonistic.

"I wouldn't want to do that to the Kilmarnock ers or my players at the time. I just thought the game should've been played without me. The club agreed to that.

"I wanted to speak to the press on Wednesday after the game and I got stick for not speaking, but the club asked me not to speak. I complied with all that."

McInnes added that Kilmarnock are "so fortunate" to have chairman and majority shareholder Billy Bowie.

"He plugs the holes all the time, his investment and commitment are undeniable," he said.

"It's never easy, these things. Kilmarnock will go on and it's a brilliant club and they will appoint a new manager."

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Director Billy Bowie has paid tribute to Derek McInnes by saying the recently departed manager has "left a lasting impact" at Kilmarnock.

McInnes has been confirmed as head coach of fellow Scottish Premiership side Hearts after guiding the Rugby Park club to top-flight survival.

Last season, the former Aberdeen boss led Kilmarnock to European football with a fourth-placed finish after gaining promotion back to the top tier.

"What Derek has achieved at the club will not be forgotten," Bowie said. "The memories will remain in the club's history.

"His leadership both on and off the pitch has left a lasting impact, and he departs with our sincerest thanks."

Kilmarnock fans, the news you have all been expecting has finally been confirmed.

Derek McInnes has left the club to become head coach of fellow Scottish Premiership side Hearts.

Where does your club go from here? Who do you want to see replace McInnes? A heavily-linked name like Steven Naismith? Or perhaps a left-field appointment?

Send us your thoughts

We asked for your views on Kilmarnock's end-of-season defeat against 10-man Hearts.

Here's what you had to say:

James: A typical end of season game and the result is irrelevant. I think Chris Burke would be good as an assistant manager or coach but don't think it would be fair to throw him into the manager's job at this time. We need to get an experienced manager ASAP as there is quite a bit of rebuilding required in the playing squad.

Robin: Couldn't finish a fish supper! Unless he's carrying a knock then Bruce Anderson should be starting. Natural goalscorer. Nearly scored with his first touch. Haven't seen a replay but looked like Robby McCrorie could've easily stopped their goal if he'd come and collected it. He's not good enough unfortunately. Lots of changes needed with the main one being a top manager that can hit the ground running.

Robert: The result and performance summed up the season, now time to look forward - new manager, new players, new opportunities. More debates about tactics, gs and can we actually win more away from home to compliment our home record? Only time will tell.

Ian: It was dreadful from start to finish. Seventeen attempts at goal with only one on target. Shameful from professional players.

Anna: I hope we can keep Stuart Findlay because he's been awesome the past few games and boy did we miss him when he was injured. I have to say I'm glad we've seen the back of Derek McInnes because the lack of respect he showed the club and the fans by talking up a move to Hearts before the season had ended was nothing short of shameful and cowardly, as was getting Paul Sheerin to speak after the Motherwell game. I liked Burke as a player, but does he really have the experience to manage in the Premiership? I'm not so sure but we'll see. Its over to you now, Billy Bowie.

Robert: Still trying to work out how we didn't win that. Some decent stuff at times but some wild shots on goal and final ball not right. Could see signs of a different style of play with more play through midfield and definite bonus seeing young Cole Burke coming on with couple of decent touches. We need new management team in place ASAP. Last guy has gone so we now forget about him and move on.

Watch highlights as 10-man Hearts end their Scottish Premiership season with a late victory at Kilmarnock.

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• Hearts have won their last four games in the Premiership, their last longer winning streak was from 2 January 2024 to 17 February 2024, a run of six games.

• Kilmarnock have failed to score in 13 of their 38 games, only Ross County (15) have failed to score more often in the Premiership this season.

• Hearts have scored in each of their last four games in the Premiership, scoring nine goals in that run.

Ten-man Hearts clinched seventh place in the Scottish Premiership after Stephen Kingsley's late strike at Kilmarnock earned a fourth successive win under caretaker manager Liam Fox.

What did you make of that, Kilmarnock fans? Would you like to see Chris Burke stay on?

Which players do you want to stay on? Let us know your thoughts here.

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Kilmarnock caretaker manager Chris Burke tells BBC Scotland: "It felt good. The players have been excellent, they made me feel comfortable. The experience was great for me and Craig Clark (assistant) as well.

"Just disappointed we concede that goal at that end. I'll have to digest that as time goes on and then reflect on the game.

"There's been a lot of success in the past four seasons. We need to try and maintain that. There will be bumps in the road.

"It's up to the board what they decide and what they're looking for, the profile for the manager. They have a great bunch of players staying on for the next manager.

"He's got a good group, a good core, and that will help the next manager hugely."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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A new dawn beckons for Kilmarnock and the sense is most welcome that.

They'd have loved to have gone into this summer off the back of a win to send the fans home happy. But it was not to be, despite having that numerical advantage.

McInnes clearly delivered success but his departure opens the door for a fresh approach that may reinvigorate the . Sometimes the time just feels right for all concerned.

This is a club that now has a great foundation in place having consolidated their Premiership place.

Not the greatest of seasons, and European commitments did take a toll, but job done and with a number of the squad out of contract, there's an opportunity for the new manager to implement their own approach with effective recruitment.

It will be a fascinating summer to see how it unfolds.

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Kilmarnock defender Robbie Deas is suspended while Kyle Magennis will not be risked after a knee injury. Brad Lyons (groin) and Joe Wright (hip) have a chance of featuring.

Hearts caretaker Liam Fox is set to choose from an unchanged squad.

Craig Gordon (shoulder), Jamie McCart (groin), Blair Spittal, Kenneth Vargas (knee), Gerald Taylor (knee) and Aidan Denholm (hamstring) are all likely to remain sidelined, while James Penrice could be left out again as he is one booking away from a two-match ban.

Incoming Heart of Midlothian boss Derek McInnes wants to take Stuart Findlay with him from Kilmarnock, where the 29-year-old centre-half has spent two seasons on loan from Oxford United. (Daily Record), external

Kilmarnock striker Bobby Wales has ed his medical with Swansea City and is in the process of finalising on a four-year contract that will net the Scottish Premiership club around £300,000 in training compensation for the 19-year-old. (Daily Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Rory McKenzie says it's an "absolute honour" to continue his Kilmarnock career after g a one-year contract extension.

The midfielder made his debut for the club in 2011 and has gone on to make over 400 appearances, scoring 26 goals.

A number of events, including a testimonial match against Ayr United, are planned to mark the 31-year-old's "incredible service" to Kilmarnock.

And McKenzie said: "It's an absolute honour to sign on for another season.

"To have a testimonial year at Kilmarnock means the world to me and my family. I'm grateful to the fans, the staff, and everyone who's been part of my journey so far.

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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.