Monday 23 May 2016 14:47, UK
Kilmarnock boss Lee Clark's rebuilding job has suffered a blow after midfielder Craig Slater announced he is quitting Rugby Park.
Killie staved off the threat of relegation from the Premiership with Sunday's 4-0 defeat of Falkirk in the second leg of the play-off final.
Clark has already admitted he needs to drastically overhaul his squad if they are to avoid another relegation battle next season, but Slater is not one of the players he would have been prepared to jettison.
The 22-year-old joined the Rugby Park youth ranks from St Mirren in 2012 but has now decided the time is right to move on.
Slater - previously linked with a move to Aberdeen - posted on Twitter: "Wish to thank Kilmarnock FC players, management, staff and fans for their help and support during my time with the club.
"Was a tough decision to leave but wish the club all the success in the future."
Clark has 12 other players out of contract this summer and admitted there are big changes afoot.
He said: "That's not being disrespectful to the lads who produced fantastic for me, but you've got to be ruthless. I know where I want to go and we are making inroads on players as we speak.
"I'm more than a firefighter. I took Huddersfield from nothing to the Championship, 43 games unbeaten and unearthed gems. I'm more than a firefighter, I have more than that in my locker.
"The last three jobs, two of them I kept them in the league but the last one was beyond repair. I'm better than that and this is a chance to show people what I am and rebuild.
"It would have been harder if we went down a level but now we have a chance and I need to chat with the powers-that-be to tell them where to go."
