Neil Warnock guided Aberdeen into the Scottish Cup semi-finals in what proved to be his final match as Âmanager.
Warnock had faced questions about his future before the game after Âfailing to record a win in six Premiership matches to leave Aberdeen third-Âbottom of the league.
It turned out his mind was made up regardless of the quarter-final Âoutcome. Jamie McGrathâs Âdouble saw the 75-year-old record a second win in eight matches, having overseen a win over Bonnyrigg Rose in the previous round.
Aberdeen announced soon after the game that Warnock had stepped aside along with his assistant, Ronnie Jepson, having been appointed as interim manager until the end of the season on 5 February.
The Aberdeen chairman, Dave Cormack, said: âWith the search for a new manager at an advanced stage, Peter Leven will assume Âcontrol of all first team matters until the process is concluded.â
Warnock said it was the âright timeâ to leave. âI only came up to help Dave and Alan out and try and steady the ship,â Warnock told BBC Scotland. âUnfortunately we havenât got the right results in the league.
âTheyâre well on their way to Âgetting a new manager. Iâve been Âtelling them they have to push Âforward now. I thought it was the right time.
âWe decided in midweek that today was going to be the day. Iâm glad IÂ left on a high because the lads were fantastic. I was quite proud of them.â
âIâve told them they need to get a manager in to look at the squad because I think it needs quite an Âoverhaul in the summer. If anything, Iâve contributed to making them Ârealise and get a move on.â
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McGrath hit an early opener and rounded off the scoring during a comfortable second half for the home side at Pittodrie.
Graeme Shinnie had put the Dons two ahead and Kilmarnock could not make the most of the lifeline afforded by Danny Armstrongâs strike late in the first half.
Shinnie received a late yellow card for dissent that rules him out of the semi-final.
