- Gorgie club will pay six-figure release clause in manager’s contract, with personal talks now going on in background
- No matter how negotiations pan out, McInnes is determined to see out final two games of campaign with Ayrshire club
- The former Aberdeen boss took Killie up from Championship before leading them into Europe last term, but his future is now at Tynecastle
Derek McInnes has vowed to finish the season with Kilmarnock before finalising any potential move to Hearts.
Hearts made their move for the 53-year-old former Aberdeen boss earlier this week and terms have now been agreed between the clubs after they agreed to pay the six-figure release clause in his contract.
Personal talks are now ongoing in the background, with McInnes expected to make the move to Tynecastle.
McInnes could have faced the awkward scenario of going back to Killie in his very first game in charge, with Hearts due at Rugby Park in the final game of the season on Sunday.
But, however negotiations pan out with Hearts, he is determined to see out the remainder of the season with the club he has helped rebuild over recent years.
‘I was led to believe the clubs agreed terms yesterday and discussions are ongoing from that,’ said McInnes, whose side travel to face Motherwell on Wednesday night.
Derek McInnes celebrates Kilmarnock’s victory over Dundee which secured their Premiership status
McInnes now looks set to take charge at Hearts after the two clubs agreed terms
‘I went for breakfast with Billy Bowie and my focus is clearly on finishing this season with Kilmarnock.
‘We’ve got two very important games still and we want to try and finish the season as strong as possible.
‘So that’s where it’s at. We try to be as transparent as possible so there’s ongoing discussions, but that’s for others. For me, it’s just concentrating on tomorrow night’s game at Motherwell.
‘Billy has been brilliant, we’ve got a strong relationship.
‘That’s always been key for me, having that strong relationship with the owner. He allows me to deal with it. He’s busy with his own business.
‘He’s so important at the club, vitally important, and probably at times he doesn’t always get that credit. But, without him, everything would be so much more difficult here.
‘So we’ve had a good relationship and that will continue.
‘It’s important for me that, if and when I leave Kilmarnock, I’ll still be able to shake his hand, we’ll still be able to have a drink, we’ll still be able to talk as openly as we do now.’
McInnes took over as Killie boss in January 2022 and brought them up from the Championship before leading them into Europe last season.
McInnes pictured at last month’s Scottish Cup semi final at Hampden, which involved his former club Aberdeen and his prospective new employers Hearts
The Ayrshire club secured their Premiership status for next season with a 3-2 win over Dundee last Saturday.
Asked whether the past few days had been difficult due to the speculation, he added: ‘I think sometimes these things come along in life. I’ve always been open with the club.
‘I’m really enjoying my time here and, until something maybe makes you think twice about that, about maybe trying something else, you just concentrate on the job in hand.
‘I was informed yesterday that the clubs had reached the agreement and talks are ongoing
‘I’ve also reiterated to the club today that I intend to be here for the last two games and I need to make sure that message is loud and clear, to my players, to everybody.
‘We deal with what’s in front of us now, and then we can pick up on anything else beyond that.’
