Danny Armstrong to leave Kilmarnock as Derek McInnes admits defeat over new contract

Derek McInnes has admitted defeat in his bid to keep Danny Armstrong at Kilmarnock after the winger turned down a new deal.

The Rugby Park boss has confirmed that the 27-year-old - who has been linked with Hearts - will not be at the club next season as he prepares to enter the final six months of his deal. And McInnes insists any potential suitors will need to come up with a suitable offer if they want to prise him away during the January transfer window. Armstrong, who was sent off for two bookings in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Hibs, has become a key player at Killie after joining from Raith in 2021. He scored nine goals and came up with 14 assists as the Ayrshire side finished fourth last season.

But McInnes is now preparing for the future without the playmaker. McInnes said: “We put a huge effort in as a club to try to get Danny to sign again. It’s the same with all of our players who we see as having good value. Anyone who is a flight risk – we’re not sleep-walking, watching our players going into the last year of their contract. Anybody who thinks that is on cloud cuckoo land.

“We’ve tried and tried. I was delighted with the offer the club put to Danny. He refused it, as is his right, and we’re alright about it. I have never questioned his commitment.

“He’s not going to be a Kilmarnock player next season. We’ve accepted that. If he’s going to be a Kilmarnock player beyond January then it’s up to clubs to come through the door and ask the question.

“He’s not quite been at the same level this season, but I thought last week against Aberdeen he was excellent. It would be no surprise to me if clubs were looking at Danny."

And although McInnes is aware of the rumours of Hearts sniffing about his player, he insists