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Sergio unhappy with Kenny the `clown' Hearts manager Paulo Sergio has hit back at Kenny Shiels, describing the Kilmarnock boss as "like a clown" for discussing events at Tynecastle.

Sergio criticised Shiels ahead of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Killie and reiterated his backing of the Hearts board, who made Marian Kello unavailable for selection after the first-choice goalkeeper refused a transfer deadline day move to Austria Vienna.

Shiels insisted he would have walked out of Tynecastle if he was manager over the insistence from the board, including Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov, that Kello cannot be selected.

Asked if he will shake hands and speak with Shiels at the match at Rugby Park, Sergio said: "His hand, his neck, everything.

"Maybe as another joke for me (I will speak to him). I like a lot to laugh." Shiels claimed he would not have tolerated boardroom interference, due to his principles, and if he were at Hearts he would have walked out.

Sergio said: "I know he would like to be here. It's not the first time he has shown that.

"It's like a clown. I'm saving money every single day when I open newspapers, instead of going to stand-up comedy and paying for a ticket.

"Every single morning I have a big laugh when I open the newspapers.

"A guy that is talking about principles doesn't show any kind of ethics for anybody in this game.

"Now I understand why everybody in the game here is speaking so badly about him. He should listen to what his players say about him instead of sticking his nose into other teams' (business).

"He should look to inside his team." Hearts will make a late decision over winger David Templeton's fitness ahead of the trip.

Templeton missed the midweek loss to Celtic with a groin injury and, with a William Hill Scottish Cup replay at St Johnstone next Tuesday, may not be risked at Rugby Park.

Midfielder Ian Black is available again following suspension, but goalkeeper Kello remains unavailable for selection due to a dispute with the club's board and striker Kevin Kyle (hip) is a long-term absentee.

Kilmarnock skipper Manuel Pascali is out for the rest of the season after breaking his fibula in a freak training ground accident on Friday.

The loss of the 30-year-old Italian defender, who sustained the injury while stretching for the ball, represents a huge setback to the Ayrshire club who are aiming for a top-six place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and who face Celtic in next month's Scottish Communities League Cup final at Hampden.

Manager Kenny Shiels said: "I am really disappointed for Manuel. It is a really big blow for him and the team.

"He has so much passion to do well, and there was the cup final for him coming up. It wasn't an impact injury, it was while he was stretching for the ball.

"It gives the opportunity for other players to come in and try to stake their place but I am really gutted.

"We now have to garner some intensive energy to make up for the loss of Manuel." Shiels confirmed the signing of midfielder Lee Johnson on a two-and-half-year deal.

The player on Friday night received international clearance and will be in the squad to play Hearts.

Kilmarnock vs Hearts

Last modified 17:27 11/02/12

Santana seals late point for Hearts Suso Santana's injury-time equaliser earned Hearts a 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock in a feisty encounter at Rugby Park.

Paul Heffernan bundled home 10 minutes from time to put Kilmarnock seemingly on course for three points, but substitute Santana rose to meet Paul McGowan's cross in the dying stages of the game to ensure a share of the points from the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash.

Both sides finished the game with 10 men after Dieter Van Tornhout and Jamie Hamill were both given their marching orders in the second half.

There was more drama at the final whistle as tempers flared following a handshake between Kilmarnock's Dean Shiels and Hearts manager Paulo Sergio, resulting in a shoving match between a number of players.

Tensions were running high following comments from both managers in the build-up to the game and there were two bookings inside the opening minute.

Dieter van Tornhout was carded for a reckless challenge on Hamill who also picked up a yellow for his aggressive reaction.

Van Tornhout passed up a good opportunity to head the visitors in front when he failed to trouble Jamie MacDonald after connecting with James Fowler's cross, and the Hearts goalkeeper then had to be alert to deal with Heffernan's looping header a minute later.

Hearts were enjoying the bulk of the early possession without testing Cammy Bell in the home goal and their first chance came after 15 minutes when Fowler's sliced clearance looped just over his own crossbar following a dangerous delivery from Ian Black.

Garry Hay's effort from long distance sailed over as the hosts searched for an opener as both goalkeepers remained virtual spectators.

For Hearts, Stephen Elliott went agonisingly close to getting on the end of Andy Driver's cross on the half-hour mark and Rudi Skacel then forced Bell into a low stop from the edge of the box.

Lewis Toshney was booked for a careless lunge on Danny Grainger after 35 minutes, however Hearts were unable to profit from the resulting free-kick.

Marius Zaliukas should have done better when he rose to meet Black's corner but the Lithuanian defender failed to hit the target.

Both teams began the second period brightly.

Taouil's long-range effort was comfortably dealt with by Bell in the opening minute and at the other end MacDonald punched away Dean Shiels' free-kick.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men after 53 minutes when Van Tornhout received his second booking for a clumsy tackle on Hamill.

The home players vented their fury at referee Euan Norris, with Heffernan receiving a booking for dissent.

Hearts created their best chance of the match on the hour mark, as Hammill swung over a pin-point cross but Elliott's header drifted inches wide.

Hearts manager Sergio made his first change of the match when he replaced Grainger with Ryan McGowan, in an attempt to make his side's one-man advantage count.

After 72 minutes Hearts introduced Santana in place of Driver as they continued to look the more threatening of the two sides without really threatening Bell's goal.

Kilmarnock had an attempt of their own to grab an opener and Andy Webster did well to block Shiels' fizzing shot.

The home side grabbed the opening goal from the resulting corner. Toshney rose to meet Shiels' cross and despite an excellent block on the line Heffernan bundled the ball into the net.

Referee Norris showed his second red card of the game when Hamill was ordered off for a second booking.

The former Kilmarnock defender lunged in on Hay leaving Norris with little option but to produce a red.

Hay fired wide of goal in the final minute as Kilmarnock looked to comfortably hold on for victory.