Danny Lennon: Shiels furore overshadows form

ST MIRREN manager Danny Lennon believes the reaction to Kenny Shiels’ public comments sometimes deprives his Kilmarnock team of the praise he feels they deserve.

Shiels has just returned from a three-match touchline ban received for comments made about match officials and faces another Scottish Football Association hearing early this year after accusing fourth official Andrew Dallas of an “outrageous fabrication” of evidence.

Shiels remained defiant after his latest charge, but Kilmarnock were unaffected by his absence from the touchline and travel to St Mirren Park this afternoon unbeaten in four difficult fixtures against Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs and Motherwell, which has left them in the top six in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Lennon said: “For me, a lot of Kilmarnock’s success is overshadowed by the media’s relationship with the manager.

“Because he is so open in everything that he says, they try and make a full story out of it. Sometimes that deflects from the success Kilmarnock have had. For me, Kenny and his players don’t get the credit I feel they deserve.”