Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes has accepted that winger Danny Armstrong will leave the club amid supposed interest from Hearts.
Armstrong was linked with a move to Bolton Wanderers in the summer with his contract set to expire at Rugby Park next summer.
The 27-year-old stayed put but refused to extend his deal, leaving Killie fans almost certain that he would depart in 2025 after four years with the club.
At the weekend, with the January transfer window approaching, a report linked Armstrong with a pre-contract move to Premiership rivals Hearts.
Now, McInnes has addressed that talk and confirmed that the Jambos haven’t officially approached Kilmarnock over a possible swoop for Armstrong.
But the Killie manager has accepted that Armstrong will leave, whether it be in January or in the summer having refused to sign a new deal.
- READ MORE: St Mirren beat Premiership rivals to Owen Oseni transfer as Buddies star attracts interest
McInnes on Armstrong Hearts transfer link
“I’d heard that a few weeks ago myself. Someone privately had told me that”, revealed McInnes.
“I speak to Danny’s agent regularly, and I speak to Danny regularly, so I think I would know if there had been contact.
“Certainly, if Hearts want to come through the door and let us know of their intentions to speak to Danny then fine, but they haven’t. I’m really relaxed with it. I’m fine with it.
“We put a huge effort into trying to get Danny to sign again as a club. 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 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. 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.
“I think I’m close enough to Danny to know if there was any contact, and I believe him that there hasn’t been from Hearts or anybody.”
Will Kilmarnock add to their squad in January?
With Armstrong potentially leaving next month, McInnes may have to add a new face or two. He said on possible January incomings: “I don’t know. We’ll wait and see.
“It’s called the January window but the business doesn’t usually get done until the last two or three days.
“It’s very rare that you’re able to make early signings in January unless you’re spending money, which we’re not.
“I’d imagine we’ll be as we are heading into the St Mirren game.”