Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is delighted to see Josh Magennis enjoying success after leaving Pittodrie.
The 25-year-old was released by the Dons at the end of the 2013-14 campaign and signed a three-year deal with Killie last summer.
After an indifferent first season at Rugby Park, Magennis has been earning rave reviews for his performances this term.
He has netted eight goals this season, including one in Northern Ireland’s 3-1 win against Greece that earned his country a place in the Euro 2016 finals.
Earlier this month, Kilmarnock team-mate Kris Boyd tipped Magennis to go on to bigger and better things than Kilmarnock.
McInnes says he has no regrets about allowing Magennis to leave the Dons and is pleased to see the Northern Ireland international fulfilling his potential.
He said: “I still keep in touch with Josh, he’s a brilliant lad.
“He would be the first to recognise he needed to go away and play football.
“He’s done that and is now having a great experience with Northern Ireland.
“It is a brilliant achievement to be going to France next summer and he has contributed to them getting there.
“He was a really popular boy when he was here but we just couldn’t guarantee regular games.
“He thought it was best for him to play elsewhere and so did we.
“There are loads of players in the same position because it gives them a chance to show what they’re capable of elsewhere.
“They are tough decisions to make but I have no regrets about it and neither does Josh.
“I always enjoy seeing players I’ve worked with in the past doing well when they move on.”
Kilmarnock have dropped to the play-off position after going six matches without a win, while Aberdeen travel to Ayrshire brimming with confidence after beating Hearts 1-0 last weekend to extend their unbeaten run to five games.
McInnes added: “Like all the teams down there, Kilmarnock are trying to get the consistency they need to move up the table.
“They are capable of getting results against anyone, they’re not a bad team on their day, so we expect a tough match.
“We want to keep our winning run going.”
Aberdeen will be without Barry Robson (ankle) but Niall McGinn is available after being sidelined by a groin strain.