Kelty Hearts manager Kevin Thomson missed out on the Kilmarnock job after being interviewed by the board.
The former Rangers star was on the club's shortlist and spoke to the board – but the Rugby Park chiefs ultimately chose Derek McInnes, opting for an experienced head in their bid for promotion to the Scottish Premiership.
Thomson is highly regarded as an up-and-coming manager – and he's doing a great job at League Two side Kelty.
He guided the Fife side to an incredible 1-0 win against St Johnstone which led to them knocking out the Scottish Cup holders at Saturday's fourth-round stage.
"The feedback I got was brilliant," Thomson told BBC Radio Scotland.
"Everyone knows I was linked with the Killie job. I went down and spoke to Killie – I wanted to put myself in that position to speak to the board. The club [Kelty] are not naive. They know my aspiration is to become a full-time manager at a big club.
"That has to be my path, but at the same time, I am as honest as the day is long and, when that phone call went to Kelty, I wanted to sit in front of a board and sell myself.
"Ultimately, I didn't get the job, but I certainly wasn't disappointed that I didn't get the job because I've got a brilliant job at Kelty and I'm fully focused and committed to the lads."
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