Danny Armstrong insists he’s in no rush to sign a new deal at Kilmarnock – but admits he loves the club.
The 26-year-old winger has held positive talks with Derek McInnes and the hierarchy at Rugby Park over an extended contract. The attacker’s current deal expires next year in the summer of 2025.
While discussions have occurred – which is music to the ears of all Killie fans considering the attention that will inevitably surround the player with nine goals and 14 assists to his name – an agreement has yet to be struck, both parties have revealed.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s final home game of the season at Rugby Park, Armstrong commented: “It’s important to look after yourself, it’s a great place to be, full of unbelievable people. There’s no rush, I’m still under contract here and I just want to get through these last two games.
“I love this club. We’ve always been in light discussions about whether Kilmarnock wants to tie me down here even longer. I feel people will expect that. It’s a great feeling knowing that your club wants to extend your contract. If there can be some sort of agreement that can be done then it’s something I will look at.
“Especially when you’re about to start a family you need to consider what’s best for every aspect. I’ve got good people behind me who can look after me and give me the best advice.
“All I can say is I love this place, I love being here and I’ve still got another year on my contract. If anything comes up, it’s something I might need to look at, but if not then I’m more than happy at Kilmarnock. It truly is a great place.”
His gaffer added: “I’m not saying I’m optimistic, I’m hopeful. We’ve had some positive talks. I always feel if the player wants to stay, then the manager and club are trying hard to make it happen. Hopefully, there’s enough goodwill there that he wants to hang about a bit longer.
“I understand that, with a year to go, and the numbers and attention he’s had, there will be other people looking at him.
“But he is our player – we don’t need to do anything this summer. It’s a big year ahead for us, so hopefully we can reach an agreement but we’re not there yet, clearly.”
Meanwhile, captain Kyle Vassell will go for his hernia operation on Monday, May 20.
“He’s booked in for Monday,” McInnes said. “He was due to go in this week, but obviously we had to reschedule that as there was a case where if we hadn’t won in Paisley then we had to win on Saturday.
“It’s a hernia op, so he’ll be out for around three or four weeks, but he’ll be back in time for pre-season. We were keen to try and get him done before so it doesn’t impact too much on his close season. We want him to try and get a full pre-season because he’s a key player.
“He epitomises a lot of what we are. He’s hardly trained for two months with this hernia. Both he and Greg Stewart were in need of the same operation, same issue. So, we took a chance to get Greg done knowing that if Vass was to get done, then Greg would be back available.”
