Danny Armstrong won't rule out Kilmarnock stay but will keep options open

Kilmarnock winger Danny Armstrong will consider all his options when his contract expires this summer but insists he won’t rule out a new deal that would see him stay at Rugby Park.

The highly-rated winger rejected a previous offer to extend his time at the Ayrshire club, and manager Derek McInnes said in December that he was resigned to the fact that Armstrong would move on.

A move to Hearts was rejected in January, and Armstrong could have his pick of clubs when the Premiership season finished in less than two weeks’ time, but he says he will take time to consider his future. He says he wants to go as far as he can in the game, but is open to trying to achieve his ambitions at Kilmarnock if that’s the best decision.

Asked where he saw himself in the future, he admitted it was a concern not having certainty, but made it clear he had ambition and confidence in himself to take on any new challenge.

“[I want to be] at the highest level possible, wherever that may be,” he said. “That’s not to say it’s not here.

“It‘s not saying it’s somewhere else. You see thousands of players do it. I’ll sit down at the end of the season, look at the options, talk to my family and manager, and then see what happens.

“It’s obviously a scary time. I’ve got a young family, so I need to take my time and make the right decision. I’m 27 now, and I need to do what’s right.

“I’ve played from League 1 up to the Premiership here, and it’s hard to compare different levels. I wouldn’t like to put a limit on my ability or a ceiling on where I could play. If the chances come, wherever it may be, I would try to prove myself at that level. I’ll see what happens.”

Armstrong, who revealed that he had offers to play in England last year but that it didn’t feel right at the time, spoke about the interest from Hearts in January and how he had decided to keep his focus on Kilmarnock and helping the team in what has been “a stop-start season”.

“[The Hearts interest] was strong,” he said. “It was what it was, just what everyone thought it was.

“My decision was that I wanted to stay at Kilmarnock, and that was that at the time. I was in touch with the gaffer, and we were absolutely fine over everything.

“I kept in touch with everyone, and it was just about staying focused. That’s what I decided to do.”

He also reflected on the original Kilmarnock deal that he rejected, and how the manager was content to wait and talk when they are ready.

“At the time, it was just the contract that got put in front of me was… I spoke to the club, and I’ve always kept in contact with the gaffer.” Armstrong explained.

“It’s just about seeing what comes at the end of the season, even if it’s from Kilmarnock and whatever it is. Seeing if there’s an offer to be put down.

“There hasn’t been a new offer since the last one. Me and the gaffer have always been clear on that. We’ll talk when it’s secure and we just focus on football. It’s not outside distractions, just focusing on my game and the team.”

He added: “I’ve been here since 2021, so four years now.

“I’ve played through not being selected to playing every minute. I think I’ve missed only a handful of games, which I’m very proud of. I’m proud of what I’ve contributed here.

“If, when I sit down at the end of the season, staying is the right option, I’ll have no hesitation. I’ve got great friends here, I’m close with the staff. It’s a wonderful place to be.

“But I won’t decide today or tomorrow. The focus is fully on the next three games, that’s the main thing, and then I’ll decide after a bit of a break.

“That’s what we’ve done. When the time’s right, we’ll have that conversation.”