Paulo Sergio has hit back at Kenny Shiels, sarcastically suggesting the greats of the game could learn a thing or two from the Kilmarnock boss.

Shiels stated on Thursday that he would quit Tynecastle if he was in charge of Hearts, after the club’s board made first choice goalkeeper Marian Kello unavailable for selection.

"I remember after they came here and won 1-0 against 10 men," said Sergio. "The 10 men of Hearts played football and deserved a different result. Afterwards he was talking about negative psychology and things like that.

"So because of that, I am saying everybody should be learning from him. I am sure Sir Alex Ferguson every single day is reading his things because there are a lot of things to learn there.

"I am so proud to work in this country, respecting everybody. In England, there is a bigger number of managers from Scotland.

"But I think everybody in football is wrong. We should go to Northern Ireland and find these specialists.

"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]."

Asked if he would shake his hand at the weekend’s match, Sergio replied: "His hand, his neck, everything."

IN DETAIL

• I would quit if I was Hearts boss, says Kenny Shiels