Source: Team_Talk
Sergio slams Nicholl comments
Hearts manager Paulo Sergio has defended his selection policy for the cup defeat against Ayr and hit back at criticism from fellow coaches.[LNB] Sergio would not identify the target of his anger but he was understood to be referring to comments made by Kilmarnock assistant manager Jimmy Nicholl, who had expressed surprise over Hearts' team selection for their Somerset Park defeat.[LNB]Sergio made eight changes for the Scottish Communities League Cup third-round clash but he pointed out that most of the players had featured in their Europa League draw at Tottenham.[LNB]The Portuguese manager today remained bitter about the manner of their defeat, which came on penalties after a 1-1 draw.[LNB]But his ire was mainly focused on Nicholl, who was quoted in several newspapers as saying that the Hearts changes showed they were taking supporters for granted, underestimating the opposition and devaluing the competition.[LNB]Sergio, speaking at the pre-match media conference ahead of Sunday's game against St Johnstone, said: "I read in the newspapers and listened to people and I find it funny that coaches are saying stupid things, criticising me for the team I picked.[LNB]"I just want to remind them these players did very well in London. They are the same players and they deserved to play on Wednesday.[LNB]"Maybe the guys who are talking too much are profiting from their own publicity. Maybe they aren't used to winning too many times and making their own publicity maybe to get a better job.[LNB]"I know how to deal with it. I used to respect all the people. When I speak about coaches, it's to encourage them.[LNB]"When (Ally) McCoist and (Neil) Lennon lost in the Europa League, when Craig (Brown) at Aberdeen lost and people are talking about sacking him, when I talk about my colleagues it is to encourage them and say they are on my side.[LNB]"I read in the press, someone I don't know who was saying stupid things.[LNB]"It's awful, it's something I don't want to do in the future. I have a message for them - we'll meet each other in the future.[LNB]"At the end of the season we are going to see who is more happy, scientists who know how to talk about others, maybe they don't know how to talk about themselves."[LNB]Sergio insists Hearts should be in the quarter-finals after Eggert Jonsson had a goal disallowed for handball when the Edinburgh club were leading 1-0.[LNB]Referee Iain Brines disallowed the goal following consultation with assistant Tom Murphy, but television pictures proved inconclusive.[LNB]Gareth Wardlaw levelled after a slip by Marius Zaliukas and the Irn-Bru First Division side won 4-1 on penalties.[LNB]Sergio said: "My players didn't disappoint me. I said that after the game and I repeat it today. We can do better but they did more than enough to deserve to win the game.[LNB]"We played 99% of the time in the Ayr United midfield, all the time looking for chances to score. They had five or six counter-attacks that we defended very well apart from one when Marius slipped.[LNB]"Was there a handball? Did anyone see a handball? Everyone saw the referee giving the goal and the linesman running to the centre.[LNB]"We did more than enough to deserve to win the game and we won the game - 65 minutes, 2-0, game over. Of course it's very disappointing but there are reasons we are out the cup."[LNB]Looking ahead, Sergio is wary of the threat posed by St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park. Saints have yet to concede a goal away from home but also crashed out of the cup in midweek following a 2-0 home defeat by St Mirren.[LNB]"They are getting some unexpected results," Sergio said.[LNB]"Sometimes they lose points against teams with the same value but they are beating the better ones. They beat Celtic away and they beat Motherwell away.[LNB]"We have to be careful about that. I had the opportunity to see them play in the cup and we should be prepared for a hard game, but I always think positively and I think we can win. I hope it will be our first away victory."
