Scottish Premiership: Kilmarnock manager Allan Johnston to leave at end of the season

Allan Johnston is to step down from his role as Kilmarnock manager at the end of the season.

Johnston admitted the club's decision to sell striker Robbie Muirhead to Dundee United on transfer deadline day was partly behind his decision.

The 41-year-old, whose two-year-deal was due to expire at the end of the season, said: "There is a new chairman coming in and I think it is important that there is a freshness about the club and it is time to move on anyway.

"Until then I will give 110 per cent. It is a good club and it is important we finish the season strongly."

Johnston, who joined the Rugby Park club from Queen of the South 18 months ago, said he only made his decision to call time in charge just minutes before addressing the press ahead of Saturday's game against Hamilton.

Asked specifically about Muirhead, a reported deadline-day target for Celtic, the former Hearts and Rangers forward said: "There are a number of things but that certainly doesn't make your job any easier.

"I never found out Robbie was away until five past 12 (on deadline day). Stuff like that, it is not the way things are done.

"It was really difficult to arrive at the decision to leave. It is not something you want to do. I trust in the players I have got but at the end of the day I think it is the best decision for myself and the club.

"It is disappointing but there is still a job to be done between now and the end of the season."

With Michael Ngoo (ankle) and Lee Miller (knee) out, Kilmarnock, who currently occupy eighth place in the Scottish Premiership table, have only one recognised striker in Josh Magennis available to face Accies.

"I don't think it will affect the players for Saturday's game," said Johnston. "The players are desperate to put a run together and they want to be challenging for the top six."