THE SEASON may have ended in disappointment for Kilmarnock but there is genuine excitement and belief around Rugby Park that a new, successful era is on the horizon.

Lee McCulloch will be appointed as permanent manager imminently and he has already given the players a clear indication of what he wants to achieve and that is top-six football.

Equally as significant is the departure of Michael Johnston, who had alienated many supporters who may now be enticed back. It is also understood that fresh investment and sponsorship is forthcoming.

Rory McKenzie feels there is much to look forward to and sincerely hopes leading director Billy Bowie clinches a contract with McCulloch as soon as possible.

The midfielder said: “I’ve worked with Lee for the past two years and I get on with him well. He knows all the boys and I think he’ll be very successful. Hopefully we get it sorted and he said in the changing room after the game against Ross County that he has big plans.

“He gave us an idea of what it will be like if he’s in charge. He didn’t say he’s definitely getting the job, but he made it clear there has to be big changes and we can’t settle for this. We’ve stayed in the league and finished eighth, but we need to better than that. We need to finish in the top six and he stressed that. It’s nice to hear that.

"If we can build on this season, there is a great platform here at Kilmarnock to kick-on and I don’t see why we can. Get more people coming to the games, get more money in, bring in better players. It’s not rocket-science.”

Killie had hope to finish the campaign in seventh position and they took the lead thanks to Connor Sammon’s 10th minute penalty.

But they were undone by the remarkable Liam Boyce who finished the season as the Premiership’s top scorer on 23 goals by scoring twice.

His first in 42 minutes was fortuitous but his lob 20 minutes from time was excellent as Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill watched on.

Boyce said: “I wanted to get a couple of goals here to give me a chance of winning the top scorer award. My first goal was a bit lucky because I was on the line and the keeper punched it off my face, but I'll take it. And to get the second goal was a bonus.

"Personally, it's been unreal for me. Since the split, the team has been superb and we have been playing well. We play with wingers which is great for me and it's just a case of trying to get the touch when the ball goes into the box."

Hibs, Hearts and Aberdeen are all reputedly interested in the 26-year-old, who has a year left on his contract.

Boyce added: “If anything happens any clubs will have to go through the club and my agent."