Craig Slater announces his departure from Kilmarnock

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 Ladbrokes Premiership with Sunday's 4-0 romp over Falkirk in the play-off final.

But Clark has already admitted he needs to drastically overhaul his squad if they are to avoid a repeat of their brush with demotion next season.

However, 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 will be a "big" turnaround in the coming weeks.

"That's not being disrespectful to the lads who produced fantastic for me,'' said the former Huddersfield, Birmingham and Blackpool boss after the 4-1 aggregate victory over the Bairns. 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."