was also capped at under–21 level. Coaching career Queen of the South (first spell) Queen of the South announced on 21 June 2011 that Johnston had signed a contract as player coach. On 3 May 2012, Johnston was appointed as Queens new player-manager. Johnston led Queens to a historic double in his first full season in management, winning the Scottish Second Division Championship and the Scottish Challenge Cup. Kilmarnock Johnston and his assistant, Sandy Clark both signed two-year contracts to join Kilmarnock as the club's new management team on 24 June 2013. Queen of the South receive around £30,000 in compensation. Kilmarnock narrowly avoided relegation in Johnston's first season in charge, winning their last two games to finish above the relegation play-off position. The club performed better in the league during his second season, but in February 2015 Johnston announced his intention to leave the club at the end of the season. He had been upset by the sale of Robbie Muirhead, which Johnston said had only been advised to him after the transfer window had closed. The Kilmarnock board then decided to remove Johnston from his position immediately. Dunfermline Athletic On 8 May 2015, after three months out of work, Johnston was appointed manager of Scottish League One side Dunfermline Athletic on a one-year contract. His first season with the club saw him twice named Scottish League One Manager of the Month, guide the Pars to the league title and promotion to the Scottish Championship, and additionally, saw the side compete well against Scottish Premiership opposition in both the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup. In April 2016, Johnston was rewarded for his achievements with a new two-year contract, keeping him at East End Park until Summer 2018. Johnston's first season in the championship saw the club finish in fifth place, four points off the play-off positions. The following season, Dunfermline finished one place better off which saw them contest the quarter-final play-off against Dundee United. After a goalless first leg, the Pars lost the return leg 2–1 at Tannadice. On 22 May 2018, Johnston signed a new two-year contract. In January 2019 Dunfermline were not in contention for a play-off spot. On 9 January the club announced Johnston had been relieved of his duties 4 days after Alloa Athletic scored a 94th minute equaliser against Dunfermline after Dunfermline having been 2-0 ahead. Queen of the South (second spell)