Jambos will be chasing payback

By GARETH LAW

Published: 28 Oct 2011
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KENNY SHIELS is positive Hearts will try to take their negative feelings out on Kilmarnock.

Jambos stars are still waiting on their wages for this month, which should have been paid last week.

Rugby Park boss Shiels was asked to take a paycut when he was making his way in the dugout 20 years ago.

His side went from being near the foot of the table to landing a trophy.

Now Shiels is wary Paulo Sergio's men could also become united for their cause.

He said: "I actually think what's happened at Hearts can have a positive effect.

"It can bring them together. There's a common bond of 'We haven't been paid, lads, so we have to show our supporters we're not just here for money. We're here because we love football and we want to play for this club irrespective of us not being paid.'

"That situation creates a type of energy and siege mentality, not from the club's perspective but from the players.

"It can help. In Northern Ireland Glentoran were deducted points but went on to win their next ten games — and actually got the points back!

"I was once asked to take a reduction in wages at a club I was managing and it created high negative energy.

"That was the source of energy the players and I used.

"We went on to win a trophy with a team which had been at the bottom of the league.

"But I've never been at a club where the players didn't get paid like this.

"However, what's going on at Hearts won't affect us.

"They'll give 100 per cent but as long as we do likewise then it'll come down to who makes the most mistakes."

A report commissioned by the Jambos and Edinburgh Council concluded redeveloping Tynecastle was not an option.

That could spark a search for a site to build a multipurpose stadium elsewhere in the city.

But Shiels, who steered Killie into the League Cup semis this week, reckons a move would rip the heart out of Jambos.

He said: "Any time I've been to watch Hearts it's had a great effect on their players.

"The atmosphere is intense and I can see why they can beat Celtic and Rangers there. However, you can't make that your priority.

"You need to look at the viability of the club and how they're going to progress.

"Maybe they'll have an in-house training ground at the new place but they'll lose the nostalgia, history and tradition that goes with Tynecastle.

"Even Spurs people I spoke to raved about the atmosphere.

"They're a very hospitable club. People get the wrong idea because of the Vladimir Romanov thing but any time I'm there I'm well looked after."