Kenny Shiels: Paulo Sergio should have quit over Marian Kello axing

Published on Friday 10 February 2012 00:00

KENNY Shiels believes Paulo Sergio should have walked out on Hearts after being prevented from picking first-choice keeper Marian Kello – as he would have done in the same situation.

Sergio admitted “a political thing” meant Kello was left out of Sunday’s 1-1 Scottish Cup fifth-round draw with St Johnstone at Tynecastle and the Slovakian was again missing for Wednesday night’s 4-0 home loss to Celtic in the SPL.

Kello, out of contract this summer, is understood to have turned down a January move to Rapid Vienna for a reported fee of €100,000 (£83,000) which is believed to have irked Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov.

“It’s a tough situation, it’s not a good thing for us,” said Sergio but Shiels, whose Kilmarnock side face Hearts in the SPL at Rugby Park tomorrow, said that he would not have tolerated any such similar boardroom interference.

“I have no sympathy for him,” said the Northern Irishman. “If you have principles in your life and your job is to select the team and that power is taken away from you then you have to leave.

“If my chairman was trying to pick my team I would walk away because he has taken my job away from me.

“I am not criticising Paulo Sergio but, in my opinion, if the chairman ever said to me that I have to pick him or him then he is compromising my position.

“I have two keepers fighting for the number one slot. If the chairman says to me that I have to put in Anssi Jaakkola and I feel Cammy Bell is better, how can I look Cammy Bell in the eye and try to motivate him three weeks later? You have to back up your players.”

Shiels linked Sergio’s dilemma with that of Fabio Capello, who resigned as England manager following showdown talks with Football Association chairman David Bernstein over the FA’s decision to go over his head and strip John Terry of the England captaincy.

“It is ironic that it coincides with the England manager not being able to pick his captain,” said Shiels. “Again, that is totally wrong. I have walked away from one job. I was asked to play a certain way while I was the manager of the Northern Ireland youth team and I walked away from the job after eight years.”

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85

Baldrick

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 06:55 PM

The story about Kello and Shiels is a side issue. The agenda here is pending liquidation. I just can't see how Hearts can continue to pay their bills with insufficient revenue. Should the players get up to beat Killie it will be one of the best results in our history. I hate saying it but I don't think they will and I certainly don't blame them.

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84

Portsmouth 657

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 05:40 PM

#83 Dont dislike them - Pity them.

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83

Hen Broon

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 05:22 PM

#79 Well said. ...... cowardly wee ar$eholes(#80) hide behind a computer spouting their bile.

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82

what a chancer

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 05:07 PM

tight fisted do you go to football games,by the way you post i doubt that.give us an update on a game you have been to see.

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81

what a chancer

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 05:02 PM

point one how to upset the balance of a team,hit them below the belt when there down on the floor.was kello going to make any difference against celtic (none whatsoever).playing driver was a mistake,giving zali another contract totally out of order which means he will never be dropped whatever havoc he causes on the pitch" handing brown a free run at goal with the ball once again against celtic is down right utter nonsense the man even tried to score twice with clearances thereafter".moriewec could not even be bothered to challenge the header from wanama after he marked his steps all the way to the back post.the first two goals even fell at the players feet from 8 yards out what a christmas prezzie.mistakes too few to mention not in this case vlad you brought them here.

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80

Tightfisted

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 05:01 PM

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79

Miles Perour

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 04:44 PM

Real Men (and women) stay and fight for what they want, however long it takes. Cowards walk away. Sergio knows what he is doing !!

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78

Peterperfect

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 03:37 PM

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77

boozy

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 03:22 PM

# 75 , De Vries, You can spit hairs all you want, he has let himself and the folk that matter ( the fans ) down by playing a weakened team. The only one to show any bravery and stand up to him was Rix, when he refused the orders from the mad-man and played his own team, I have had a lot of time for Sergio but I Have no doubt he will come to regret this compliance in the future.

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76

Johnny Jambo

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 03:12 PM

#75 - he pretty much picked the keeper though??

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75

De Vries Scores Four

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 02:55 PM

#73 - He didnt pick the team. He banned Kello from playing. Big difference

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74

Tightfisted

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 02:29 PM

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73

boozy

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 02:26 PM

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72

Tightfisted

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 02:25 PM

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71

Portsmouth 657

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 01:54 PM

#56 TommyTightfistedVietnamSpecialone Many names same drivel. Your relegation worries are far greater.

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