Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston insists Kevin Kyle's recent claims had nothing to do with the departure of boss Jim Jefferies. However, Johnston confirmed Kyle faces disciplinary measures for claiming in the media last week his chairman had asked him his opinions on the tactics of Jefferies.

But Johnston said of the Kyle controversy: "It is totally unrelated. I am personally sad they have gone."

He added: "Supporters were becoming frustrated and that maybe played a part in his decision to reach this agreement.

"I have always supported Jim Jefferies. I gave him a new contract not that long ago that would have seen him here until 2012.

"He would, by then, have been the longest-serving manager we have ever had and that would have been a fitting accolade for someone with his long experience in Scottish football.

"He and Billy are the longest-serving management team in Scottish football and have vast knowledge of the Scottish Premier League in particular and all the players in it, and I'm sure they will do a great job wherever they end up."

Johnston will now deal internally with skipper Kyle.

"There will be disciplinary action taken against Kevin Kyle but that's an internal matter for the club," Johnston told BBC Scotland.

"Part of the problem that we have had in recent months is that too much of the club's business has been getting into the media. We need to put a stop to that, so I'm not going to go into Kevin Kyle's disciplinary proceedings."