Jefferies was delighted with Mehdi Taouil's winning goal against Well

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies was delighted to see his side silence their critics by finishing the SPL season on a high with a 2-1 win over Motherwell.

"People said we did not have the bottle or the character or the type of player to get us through it if we got dragged into the relegation battle," he said.

"Well, we have shut a few people up. We finished with three wins and that does not happen often in the Premier League.

"We have been better than our finishing position in the league this season."

Jefferies said that a longer contract for striker Kevin Kyle was among his priorities.

One or two boys will be leaving because they are moving on or because of swaps Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies

Kyle joined from Coventry in January and his goals were crucial as he struck goal-scoring form in the final games of the season.

The former Sunderland forward, who was rested against Motherwell, has another year of his contract to run.

But Jefferies said: "I am seeing the chairman and the financial boy on Monday and that is on the agenda."

Jefferies is hoping for a definitive budget so he knows how much leeway he has in the transfer market.

"One or two boys will be leaving because they are moving on or because of swaps," he said.

"I want to do it as quick as possible and I don't want it to drag on."

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