Manuel Pascali fears ‘dangerous’ Hearts side

By BARRY ANDERSON
Published on Friday 10 February 2012 12:00

MANUEL PASCALI expects Hearts to arrive at Rugby Park resembling wounded animals tomorrow, insisting they will be more dangerous opponents than ever before following Wednesday’s defeat to Celtic.

Kilmarnock’s Italian captain is anticipating a strong reaction from the Tynecastle squad after their 4-0 midweek reverse. He admitted containing their aggression will be a sizeable task for the hosts.

“What happened on Wednesday makes Hearts more dangerous for us,” said Pascali. “I’ve been in this position before. They will want to redeem themselves and they will be desperate to bounce back. They have the opportunity to do it against us.

“They will be more dangerous on Saturday, more than any other day of the year. It will be a really tough match for us. Hearts will start really aggressively and they will have some players back after Wednesday night.

“I saw the highlights of the Hearts-Celtic match and I saw Hearts did not get a goal early on. It was a tough call for the referee but Hearts will be a very different side tomorrow. We know some of their players who played with us and we know they can beat anybody.

“The Celtic game was decided in first 30 minutes. Neil Lennon said it was the best Celtic performance during his time there, so I think Hearts will learn from that. They will play at a high tempo and with lots of aggression but we are at home and we must focus on our own performance.

“Our last home game was a 3-0 defeat against Dunfermline so we have to make this up to our own fans. We want a top-six finish so we need three points against Hearts.”

Kenny Shiels, the Kilmarnock manager, was less complimentary towards the Edinburgh club today when he criticised their manager, Paulo Sergio, for following Vladimir Romanov’s orders and freezing goalkeeper Marian Kello out of the team.

“Do I feel sorry for him [Sergio] over the goalie situation? No, I don’t because he has broken his trust with his players,” said Shiels. “If you stick by your principles you develop a trust with your team.

“I would never break my principles. He’s taken the wrong stance on it. He should say, ‘I’m the manager, sack me if I can’t make the decisions’. Unless the chairman has said to him when he’s taken the job that there will be occasions when he’ll pick the team, but I can’t see that. If Michael Johnston tried to do the same with me, that would be it.”

Jamie Hamill, the Hearts defender, expressed sympathy for his manager amid trying circumstances. “It’s a difficult situation for the manager to be in, and for Marian. As players, you have to get on with it and hopefully it can be resolved sooner rather than later,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hearts and St Johnstone have been denied £82,500 each after UEFA refused permission to switch their Scottish Cup fifth-round replay to Thursday, February 16.

Sky Sports wanted to broadcast the match live, which would have meant £165,000 being split between the clubs, but UEFA are unwilling to allow a domestic live game to take place on the same night as Europa League matches.

The replay, at McDiarmid Park, now goes ahead on the scheduled date of Tuesday, February 14.

Comments

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49

Portsmouth 657

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 05:32 PM

Sorry to hear the news Manny. Nice Guy and good player. Hope you get back soon!

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48

Baldrick

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 04:38 AM

47* Gosh. I'm not embarrased about it. I am worried by it. On the one hand I passionately a club who should be pretty much odds on to win the Scottish Cup, again, this season and finish 3rd. On the other hand, I support a club which could be going into liquidation. Nothing to be embarrased about. If we were staring relegation in the face I would be embarassed but we're not so I'm not.

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47

First Green

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 11:51 PM

Baldrick don`t feel embarrassed about your worrying about your club`s situation. You`re not alone judging by some of the aggressive replies I`ve had from Jambos here not wanting to answer my questions about financial situation at Tynecastle. It`s like a medical problem,patient has to recognise problem then take action (in case of Hearts not buy season tickets for example).

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46

Baldrick

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 11:02 PM

I am encouraged by the optimism of my fellow Jambos but I continue to be worried sick about the future. I will also be very pleasantly surprised with a Hearts, Aberdeen double but in all honesty, I'm not expecting it. With all the turmoil at Ibrox recently, I don't think a shock result there is out of the question.

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45

St Bernards AFC

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 09:29 PM

#first green no idea but as is your fixation with all things HMFC i'm sure you'll let us know after you've trawled the net and found out xx

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44

First Green

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 09:17 PM

Any confirmation of exact datestimes for players and tax to be paid? What are likely sanctions if Hearts pay late or don`t pay at all? Also, how much is PS being paid to keep quiet?

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43

Weel Kent Jambo

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 07:25 PM

From the Beeb site.........."Kilmarnock skipper Manuel Pascali is out for the rest of the season after breaking his leg in a training ground accident...........The 30-year-old Italian defender sustained the fibula injury while stretching for the ball. ............."I am really disappointed for Manuel," said manager Kenny Shiels. "It is a really big blow for him and the team.It gives the opportunity for other players to come in and try to stake their place but I am really gutted," added Shiels."............... I feel sorry for the players and I suppose I should have some sympathy for his manager but I really can't find that in me today. Tough luck.

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42

ARTHERMANNFAN

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 06:34 PM

Just watched Paulo's interview on the BBC, Shields should be embarassed tomorrow to even have eye contact with PS, he dealt with the questions well and expanded when it required. I only hope there is a possibility we can hold on to him next season. His opposite number tomorrow should keep his thoughts to himself, especially at the managerial level.............

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41

Dragonlord

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 05:19 PM

Once more these threads are ruined by Tightfisted ,and his other self Tom tom and other Hibs fans who can't make sensible comments.Why do they bother? Why does the EEN allow them to rant on and on? Football is about rivalry and banter, these guys are just cretins with a keyboard.

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40

waspy100

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 05:12 PM

or duke

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39

waspy100

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 05:11 PM

#13 "duge off sausages" and you think thats an intelligent comment??? Go away and play with tomtom you are his fist afterll. Cretin

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38

Tightfisted

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 05:07 PM

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37

Tightfisted

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 05:05 PM

Comment removed by moderator

36

Duncan D' Orderly

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 04:34 PM

De Vries Scores Four, Some of them write like they've swallowed a few too many mushroom caps!!

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35

De Vries Scores Four

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 04:21 PM

#34 - I know. Loads of posters on these forums love a bit o' Caps. I hope they dont ACTUALLY speak like that ha ha

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