“We’ve tried and tried. I was delighted with the offer the club put to Danny. He refused it, as is his right, and we’re alright about it.”

While suggesting Armstrong has “not quite been at the same level this season”, McInnes described him as “outstanding” last week against Aberdeen.

“It would be no surprise to me if clubs were looking at Danny,” he said. “He’s not going to be a Kilmarnock player next season. We’ve accepted that.

“As far as I’m aware, and I think I’m close enough to Danny that I would know, I believe him that there’s been no contact from Hearts or anybody.”

McInnes said “someone privately” told him of Hearts’ interest a few weeks ago but said Kilmarnock had received no request to speak to the player.

Meanwhile, he expects most of Kilmarnock’s January transfer business to be done towards the end of the month “because everybody’s hedging their bets and there’s a domino effect”.

“It’s very rare that you’re able to make early signings in January unless you’re paying money and we’re not going to be paying money,” McInnes added.