Kilmarnock boss Kenny Shiels says Gorgie fans shouldn't feel deflated by Euro thrashing

KILMARNOCK manager Kenny Shiels told Hearts fans not to be downhearted by their side's thrashing at the hands of Tottenham - as he believes Spurs are capable of inflicting such defeats on teams from most countries.

The Gorgie men were swept aside 5-0 by the Londoners in their Europa League play-off first-leg tie at Tynecastle, rendering next week's return game meaningless.

Shiels, who is preparing for the visit of Hearts on Clydesdale Bank Premier League duty tomorrow, was not surprised by the result and claimed even the Old Firm would have struggled against the big-spending Barclays Premier League side.

"Tottenham are an elite Premier League team, not a Premier League team," said Shiels. "The top six teams are well ahead of us and the rest are better than us because of the financial clout that they have.

"So I wouldn't get too deflated if I was a Hearts supporter because it's what you expect. It's understandable that Spurs could come and be better than Hearts. I think Spurs would come and be better than the Old Firm as well because I don't think there is a level playing field.

"Spurs are so much superior to any team in Scotland but it is the same in every other country.

"I defy anyone to say that Spurs couldn't do that in most other nations. The team they had out had pace, strength and power so we have to be very careful how we reflect on that."

The Irishman claims that once again there has been a knee-jerk reaction in the wake of Hearts' defeat and the struggle the Old Firm had in the first leg of their respective Europa League play-offs.

Rangers lost 2-1 away to NK Maribor while Celtic were held to a goalless draw at home to Swiss side Sion. Shiels said: "One thing I have found in Scotland is that if something happens it seems to be highlighted to the extreme.

"We are the same, we got a victory last Sunday against Hibs so everyone thinks Kilmarnock are going to have a great season. Hearts got beat and people are captured by the negatives and want to highlight that."

Shiels revealed that new signing Leon Panikvar is not quite ready to be included in his squad for tomorrow.

The 28-year-old Slovenian, who impressed in a trial game against Sunderland, is looking forward to working under his new manager.

He said: "Everybody says it is a long-ball game in Scotland but in this team nobody plays that, we play beautiful football."